Illumina to Develop In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Kit on its FDA-Cleared MiSeqDx™ Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Instrument for Amgen’s Vectibix (Panitumumab)
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2014-- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced it has entered into an agreement with Amgen Inc. to develop and commercialize a multigene, NGS-based test as a companion diagnostic for Vectibix (panitumumab), a fully human anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapeutic for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer approved in the US and EU. Under the terms of the collaboration, premarket approval of the test by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies will be sought. The test will be developed for use with Illumina's MiSeqDx™ instrument, which received premarket clearance from the FDA on November 19, 2013 and was CE-marked for the European Union on July 16, 2013.
The collaboration will seek to validate a test platform that can identify RAS mutation status of patients who would be appropriate to receive Vectibix. Following CE marking and FDA approval, Illumina plans to commercialize the test with a focus on US and EU markets. This collaboration also demonstrates Illumina’s commitment to partnering with therapeutics companies and to bringing its leading NGS technologies into oncology care.
“This collaboration is consistent with our strategy to bring the power of NGS to clinical diagnostics,” said Nick Naclerio, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Venture Development and General Manager of Illumina’s Enterprise Informatics business at Illumina. “With three FDA-cleared NGS products in our portfolio, we intend to complement internal development programs by taking products developed with external partners through the FDA submission process. Amgen is a key partner given their leadership in therapeutic development and strong track record in commercializing novel products.”
Dr. Rick Klausner, Chief Medical Officer and acting General Manager of Illumina’s Oncology business, added, “NGS provides an advantage over traditional technologies that typically detect only one or a few variants. Multigene NGS panels provide a more complete genetic picture of each patient’s tumor, which can better inform critical treatment decisions. We see the development of multigene diagnostic tests as a natural evolution to improve cancer care and outcomes.”
About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paving the way for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
Source: Illumina, Inc.
Illumina, Inc.
Investors:
Rebecca Chambers
858-255-5243
rchambers@illumina.com
or
Media:
Jennifer Temple
858-882-6822
pr@illumina.com
