New Delhi: Indian diagnostics start up CORE Diagnostics has teamed up with leading Canadian company Contextual Genomics to introduce a potentially revolutionary genomic test in India. The ‘Find It’ test evaluates the mutation status of tumor DNA at more than 120 well-characterized positions, identifying the somatic mutations that have the greatest potential to impact treatment decisions, making it possible for doctors to customize therapies with greater precision.

CORE Diagnostics has the exclusive distributorship of the test in India and will be introducing it by the name of geneCORE Hotspot. The partnership marks a major milestone in CORE Diagnostics’ quest to improve cancer treatment in India.

Contextual Genomics is a leading name in the field of genomics-based cancer tests and has played a pioneering role in personalized medicine. Contextual Genomics’ assays are designed to find mutational information that allows oncologists and patients to make appropriate treatment decisions based on specific abnormalities in the tumors.

“We are elated to announce this partnership that allows us to bring to India one of the most significant diagnostic developments in the field of oncology and personalized medicine. With improved understanding of cancers, there is uniform agreement in the field of medicine today about the need for making genomic testing a critical component of cancer treatment. geneCORE Hotspot is a major diagnostic advancement that will allow doctors to treat each patient in a unique way by identifying the mutations driving his/her disease. This test has the potential to revolutionize cancer care,” says Zoya Brar, MD and Founder, CORE Diagnostics.

geneCORE Hotspot detects common, clinically actionable genomic alterations in solid tumors and reports them back to the user in four weeks from histology to a report.

“Each cancer is different and needs an individualized treatment plan to allow patients the best chance of recovery. We strongly believe that genomic testing will become standard practice in cancer care to give patients access to the most effective treatment option based on their tumour profile. ‘Find It’ genomics test provides in-depth information on specific abnormalities in tumors, thereby giving physicians an insight into whether a patient will respond and benefit from a specific treatment. We are delighted to partner with CORE Diagnostics to help us make this test available in India,” said Chris Wagner, President and CEO, Contextual Genomics.

GeneCORE Hotspot reports will feature a detailed clinical interpretation, with recommendations based on the mutation profile of the tumor. In geneCORE Hotspot Panel, the separate reports will be generated for the physician and the patient. This seamless, full-service approach will enable physicians to make more informed treatment decisions. Based on the presence of a specific mutation in a cancer, healthcare providers can select the most appropriate treatment for the patient. It will offer patients the most useful cancer management plan available and suitable to them, thereby improving chances of long term survival.

Cancer is driven by multiple aberrations that are unique to each patient. Knowing what these aberrations or mutations are, empowers oncologists to select the best treatment plan for the patient. The test can study over 120 carefully selected clinically actionable cancer hotspots in one panel applicable to most solid tumors. It is a multiplex, genomic assay designed for next- generation sequencing in a CLIA certified environment.  It evaluates the mutation status of tumor DNA at over 120 well-characterized positions within cancer genes.