Myriad Genetics, AstraZeneca deal

AstraZeneca will use Myriad's BRACAnalysis test as a companion diagnostic to select patients likely to respond to the pharma's olaparib for enrollment in Phase III trials of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. Myriad Genetics has submitted an investigational device exemption (IDE) to FDA to use the test in clinical trials with olaparib. Next half, AstraZeneca plans to start Phase III testing of olaparib as maintenance treatment for platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer patients with breast cancer early onset (BRCA) mutations. Myriad Genetics markets BRACAnalysis to assess a woman's risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer based on detecting genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Myriad said details are not disclosed. ...