Biodesix advances blood-based cancer monitoring programs

• Biodesix (NASDAQ:BDSX) announced progress on two blood-based molecular residual disease programs with Bio-Rad Laboratories and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• The programs use circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection to identify remaining or returning cancer after treatment.
• Biodesix is developing both tumor-informed and tumor-naïve approaches with validation planned alongside Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center investigators.

Biodesix (NASDAQ:BDSX) announced progress on two molecular residual disease (MRD) testing programs designed to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples following cancer treatment.

The programs are being developed through collaborations with Bio-Rad Laboratories and Thermo Fisher Scientific and aim to improve monitoring of whether cancer remains or returns after therapy.

The tumor-informed approach combines Biodesix’s Diagnostic Cortex platform with Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital PCR technology.

The process identifies patient-specific tumor changes and tracks those genetic signals in blood samples.

Biodesix said its analysis workflows are designed to detect ctDNA levels below 1 part per million of total DNA in a blood sample.

The company also launched a tumor-naïve program with Thermo Fisher Scientific that uses methylation patterns and sequencing technology on the Genexus platform, allowing testing without requiring tumor tissue samples.

Biodesix has started developing and validating the tumor-naïve assay.

Both testing approaches are expected to undergo validation with investigators at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and are designed to operate on laboratory platforms already installed worldwide.