AZ partners with Qiagen, Roche to develop plasma-based EGFR mutation tests

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) announced a pair of deals on Monday to develop companion diagnostics that can detect non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) EGFR mutations directly from circulating tumor DNA in plasma samples. Under one deal, Qiagen N.V. (Xetra:QIA; NASDAQ:QGEN) will develop a test that detects 21 EGFR mutations to identify patients that could benefit from AZ's NSCLC drug Iressa gefitinib, a small molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The collaboration is an extension of an agreement the companies signed last year.

Under a separate deal, the Roche Molecular Diagnostics unit of Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) will develop a test for AZD9291, an oral irreversible inhibitor of EGFR-activating mutations and the T790M EGFR resistance mutation. The compound is in Phase I/II testing for metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC that has progressed following treatment with an EGFR TKI. The Roche deal is part of a broad 2012 agreement between the pharmas to develop companion diagnostics for AZ's products (see BioCentury Extra, Sept. 26, 2012). ...