Bayer and Thermo Fisher collaborate to increase patient access to precision cancer medicines

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Bayer AG and Thermo Fisher Scientific have announced the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based companion diagnostic assays (CDx) together. These will help identify patients who may benefit from Bayer’s growing portfolio of precision cancer therapies by offering decentralised genomic testing and rapid turnaround time.

The CDx will be developed using Thermo Fisher’s Oncomine Dx Express Test on the Ion Torrent Genexus Dx System, a fully integrated next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform that can deliver results on a patient’s tumour or liquid biopsy sample in as little as 24 hours.

According to Christine Roth, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit at Bayer, “The collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific perfectly complements Bayer’s precision medicine strategy and fits our ambition to further advance the field of genomic testing and personalised treatment in oncology, providing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.”

“The combination of our experience in developing distributable CDx tests with the game-changing turnaround time offered by our Genexus Dx System, allows clinical teams to quickly gather results to better understand the impact of these therapies. Pairing this with Bayer’s growing precision oncology portfolio, we are well-positioned for the potential to help ensure that eligible patients can be quickly matched with the right treatment”, said Garret Hampton, president of clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology at Thermo Fisher Scientific.