Researchers should reconsider how they use population descriptors such as race, ethnicity, and geographic location in genomic and genetic research, according to a new report from the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report, commissioned by the National Institutes of Health, says population descriptors do not fully capture the range of [...]
Shares of Illumina rose more than 20 percent in midday trading on the Nasdaq on Monday following a report that billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn plans to start a proxy fight for influence on the firm's board of directors in order to divest its Grail subsidiary. First reported by the Wall Street Journal on [...]
A scalable and low-cost way to perform genome and transcriptome sequencing (G&T-seq) of single cells without upfront whole-genome amplification (WGA) is being developed at Belgium's KU Leuven. The method, called Gtag&T-seq (Gtag), combines G&T-seq with tagmentation. Researchers from the lab of Thierry Voet at KU Leuven used it to improve coverage uniformity, lower selection [...]
Sophia Genetics said Tuesday that it is integrating its DDM bioinformatics platform with Agilent Technologies' recently released SureSelect Cancer Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) assay kit. By bringing together Sophia's analytics with Agilent's target enrichment and next-generation sequencing-based assay technology, the firms hope this partnership will help cancer researchers improve identification of multiple biomarkers. "We [...]
An artificial intelligence tool paired with a polygenic risk score (PRS) can quantify steps for patients to take to curb their inherited risk of coronary artery disease, according to late-breaking clinical trial results shared Sunday at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and World Congress of Cardiology's annual scientific meeting. Study authors from the [...]
Newly formed precision medicine technology firm Velsera, incorporated through a merger of Pierian, Seven Bridges Genomics, and UgenTec, is not yet done with M&A activity to fuel its short-term growth. "We think before the end of the year, we may get another five or six acquisitions" to fill in missing pieces, said CEO Gavin [...]
SomaLogic said that it has signed a deal to become the sole provider of high-plex proteomics technology to Group 42 Healthcare. The proteomics initiative will span the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the deal, G42 will become the first SomaLogic-certified site in the Middle East. A certified site provides [...]
Palmetto MolDx updated its reimbursement guidance for molecular tests assessing rejection risk in solid organs with more restrictive language concerning appropriate use and testing frequency, a decision that could have negative implications for CareDx and Natera. A Billing Article effective March 31 limits reimbursement to one test per patient encounter, provides new coding to [...]
Informatics and clinical decision support firm VieCure said Monday that it has entered a strategic collaboration with Exact Sciences aimed at improving access to precision oncology diagnostics for US patients and community oncologists. Under the agreement, Denver-based VieCure will integrate Exact Sciences’ portfolio of diagnostic tests —beginning with the Oncotype DX breast cancer recurrence [...]
Sophia Genetics said Tuesday before market opening that its 2022 fourth quarter revenues grew 23 percent to $13.4 million from $10.9 million a year earlier, beating analysts' average estimate of $12.9 million. On a constant currency basis, revenues grew 36 percent, while constant currency revenue growth excluding COVID-19-related revenue was 44 percent. The Swiss [...]
