Oncocyte Acquires Stake in Razor Genomics to Advance Molecular Prognostic Analytics for Lung Cancer

On September 10, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that OncoCyte announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in Razor Genomics (“Razor”) for $10 million. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.

It is reported that Razor’s proprietary molecular prognostic analysis technology holds significant importance for the early diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors, such as lung cancer. Following the completion of this acquisition, OncoCyte will leverage this technology to enhance its genetic testing capabilities.

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the fastest growing incidence and mortality rates, posing the greatest threat to public health and life. In 2018, 1.8 million people worldwide died from lung cancer.

In clinical research on lung cancer, prognostic analysis is a primary method for cancer staging and serves as a critical basis for formulating treatment plans. Molecular prognostic analysis techniques can examine the primary tumor, lymph nodes, blood, and bone marrow in lung cancer patients, performing analyses at the genetic or protein level to further enhance the accuracy of lung cancer staging.

Patients identified as high-risk by the Razor molecular prognostic analysis technology will receive timely chemotherapy, achieving a 5-year survival rate of up to 92%. Clinical trials have demonstrated that the analytical accuracy of this technology exceeds that of the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk assessment guidelines.

Razor Genomics, founded in 2003, is a biotechnology company headquartered in Brisbane, California, USA. The company is dedicated to developing novel cancer analysis and diagnostic technologies to improve patient outcomes. Currently, Razor Genomics’ molecular prognostic analysis technology is in the clinical development stage.

The primary components of molecular prognostic analysis include gene amplification, gene mutations, overexpression or aberrant expression of gene products, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis. Razor’s molecular prognostic analysis technology has obtained CLIA certification in the United States. It can identify cancer-driving genomic mutations in patients and match them with clinical trials, thereby truly realizing precision medicine.

Razor’s innovative technology detects genomic mutations, providing oncologists with rapid and accurate patient information to significantly improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, the company has developed a bioinformatics platform that aggregates and integrates genomic data to advance research into cancer etiology and targeted therapies.

OncoCyte, a medical technology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA, is dedicated to developing novel non-invasive technologies for early cancer screening. Its liquid biopsy approach, which utilizes blood or urine samples, helps reduce treatment risks and healthcare costs. Currently, OncoCyte’s non-invasive liquid biopsy technology is primarily used for the clinical diagnosis of lung cancer.

OncoCyte primarily develops highly accurate, easy-to-administer, non-invasive liquid biopsy technologies for cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer. Additionally, the company collaborates with The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, USA, to jointly research pulmonary biomarkers.

OncoCyte CEO Ron Andrews concluded, “Razor’s technology has gained widespread recognition and has been published in prestigious medical journals such as The Lancet and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Following this acquisition, we are poised to assume a leading position in molecular prognostic testing for lung cancer patients.”

OncoCyte Chief Financial Officer Mitch Levine stated, “If the clinical trials for Razor’s molecular prognostic analysis technology achieve success within one year, we will acquire the remaining equity interest in Razor for $15 million, after which Razor will become a wholly owned subsidiary of OncoCyte.”

(Compiled by Xu Xiaoxue)