Rendong Medicine and AstraZeneca Launch China's First Companion Diagnostic Collaboration for Prostate Cancer

[October 31, 2020, Zhengzhou] The launch ceremony for the strategic cooperation on precision diagnosis of prostate cancer between Rendong Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Rendong Medical”) and AstraZeneca (Wuxi) Trading Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “AstraZeneca”) was grandly held in Zhengzhou, marking the official commencement of the first strategic partnership in China to explore companion diagnostic development and co-commercialization models in the field of prostate cancer.

Rendong Medicine is a leading provider of comprehensive genetic testing solutions in China and the market leader in precision testing for urological tumors domestically. AstraZeneca is an innovation-driven global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development, production, and marketing of effective prescription medicines, as well as the provision of professional medical services. This collaboration encompasses the joint development and regulatory registration of homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene testing products for prostate cancer, academic promotion of precision diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer, and patient assistance programs for prostate cancer genetic testing. These initiatives aim to assist physicians in formulating more precise clinical treatment plans, ensure patients receive accurate and compliant diagnoses, and thereby advance the practical implementation of precision oncology care.

The signing ceremony specially invitedProfessor Zhou Liqun of Peking University First Hospital served as the Conference Chair, with invitations extended to Professor Xue Wei of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Professor Wei Qiang of West China Hospital, Sichuan University; Professor Zhou Fangjian of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Professor Wei Jinxing of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; and Professor Yao Xin of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital.Attended the conference as Co-Chair to jointly witness a pivotal moment in the field of precision diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Conference Chair, Professor Zhou LiqunStatement: The PROfound study of olaparib has provided encouraging data, opening the door to precision therapy for patients with prostate cancer harboring homologous recombination repair (HRR) mutations. Precision therapy entails more than conventional clinical assessments, such as imaging; rather, it fundamentally begins with molecular-level genetic testing. This principle underpins the collaboration between AstraZeneca and Genetron Health in this project. Only through genetic testing can we precisely identify patients who are likely to benefit from olaparib. This represents the core significance of our partnership: precise patient selection to improve outcomes for patients.

Yin Min, General Manager of AstraZeneca China's Oncology Business UnitIt signifies that PARP inhibitors have opened a new chapter in targeted therapy for advanced prostate cancer. On May 20 this year, the FDA approved olaparib for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations, marking a transition in the field of urologic oncology from endocrine therapy to a new era of precision targeted therapy. To enable more Chinese patients to access medications suited to their individual needs, AstraZeneca and RenDong have joined forces to develop companion diagnostic products that are more affordable and offer higher precision, aiming to address issues of accessibility and widespread adoption in precision diagnosis and treatment. It is believed that in the future, companion diagnostics will become a prerequisite for drug market approval.

Mr. Jin Ge, CEO of Rendong MedicineStatement: This collaboration between Rendo Medicine and AstraZeneca represents the first strategic partnership in China to explore companion diagnostic development and co-commercialization models in the field of prostate cancer. It is a milestone event that truly advances the integration of diagnostics and therapeutics in the era of targeted drugs. As the first diagnostic company specializing in genetic testing for urological tumors, Rendo has collaborated with clinical experts to develop products that best meet clinical needs, accumulated China’s largest prostate cancer genetic database from patient cohorts, and worked with pharmaceutical companies and industrial partners to promote industry-academia-research-application integration and clinical research translation, bringing the best products to the global market. In the future, amidst the digital revolution, integrated diagnosis and treatment, and major healthcare reforms, we hope our collaborative products will be accessible—in terms of pricing, technology, and application methods—to maximize clinical benefits for patients.

RenDong MedTech was established in December 2015. As a leading provider of comprehensive genetic testing solutions in China, it is also the market leader in genetic testing for urological tumors. Centered on NGS technology and leveraging tumor immuno-multi-omics, the company focuses on building integrated diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for specific cancer types. In 2017, it pioneered the “Ten-Thousand Person Tumor Immune Ark Project” in China and launched the country’s first ctDNA panel for precision immuno-oncology therapy and efficacy assessment. Its current product portfolio covers the entire spectrum of precision oncology, including precision immunotherapy, medication guidance, and prognosis prevention. Notably, its flagship products—PuShengTai® (a 66-gene test for precise diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer), YouKeAn™ (a genetic test for precise diagnosis and treatment of urothelial carcinoma), and ShenShiAn Selected™ (a 77-gene test for precise diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma)—have become well-known brands in their respective niches. Additionally, the company has relevant products and R&D initiatives in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and other tumor types. RenDong MedTech has commenced construction of its IVD manufacturing facility and new office space in Suzhou, and successfully secured strategic financing in Series A and Pre-Series B rounds from the capital market in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

AstraZeneca is an innovation-driven, global integrated biopharmaceutical company. It not only boasts an industry-leading, large-scale R&D team but also places strong emphasis on collaboration, with several Nobel Laureates having contributed to the development of innovative pharmaceutical products alongside AstraZeneca. Committed to the research, development, production, and marketing of highly effective prescription medicines, as well as the provision of professional medical services, AstraZeneca holds a leading position in the fields of gastroenterology, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system disorders, respiratory diseases, oncology, anesthesia, and anti-infectives, and is ranked among the Fortune Global 500. As a leading multinational pharmaceutical company in China’s prescription drug market, AstraZeneca China employs over 10,000 staff members across production, sales, clinical research, and new product development, with business operations extending to major cities throughout China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At AstraZeneca, employees are dedicated to advancing the broader frontiers of science, with the primary mission of eliminating human disease and reducing disease-related mortality.