14M Genomics and the EORTC collaborate on genomic profiling for clinical trials

Cambridge, UK: 10^th March 2015. 14M Genomics (“14MG”) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (“EORTC”) announced today a collaboration to use genomic diagnostic profiles to facilitate enrolment into next generation cancer clinical trials.   14MG will analyse patterns of genomic variation on newly diagnosed patients with colorectal, thoracic, brain and skin cancers as part of the EORTC Screening Patients for Efficient Clinical Trial Access (SPECTA) programme.

The first project in colorectal cancer launched in 2013, SPECTAcolor, has been successfully implemented across 21 clinical centers located in nine countries in Europe, and has recruited over 500 patients.   Limited cancer genomic analyses conducted to date have shown that the observed frequency of mutations is similar to that observed in previous colorectal cancer clinical trials.  14MG will now conduct in depth genomic variation analyses, using its state-of-the-art sequencing and analytical tools, on these and future patients enrolled in the study.

This profile will help inform oncologists on the eligibility of patients for enrolment in clinical trials for new treatments.  The diagnostic information and future clinical response to treatment will form part of linked clinical genomic data, being assembled by EORTC and 14MG, which will be valuable as a reference resource for future diagnostic guidance for new patients.

The EORTC aims to improve the standard of cancer treatment through the testing of more effective therapeutic strategies based on drugs, surgery and/or radiotherapy that are already in use. It also contributes to the development of new drugs in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry.

Andrew Sandham, Executive Chairman of 14MG, said “We are delighted to be able to work as a partner with the EORTC, its clinical centres and investigators.  The SPECTA programme is an exciting initiative to allow oncologists to offer novel treatment options to patients, by enrolment into clinical trials most appropriate for their profile.  Our clinical genomics technologies enable profiling that relates to the underlying biology of the tumour.  We look forward to collaboration with the EORTC, academic clinical research centres and pharmaceutical companies on innovative clinical trials.

Dr Denis Lacombe, Director of the EORTC, commented “The EORTC is a leader in enabling multi-disciplinary approaches to investigate strategic therapeutic questions through clinical and translational research.  We aim to improve the understanding of disease and help advance innovative therapies in cancer care for the benefit of patients.  Our partnership with 14M Genomics will improve our ability to diagnose and treat each patient as an individual, a step forward in personalised medicine.”

Dr Vassilis Golfinopoulos, Medical Vice Director of the EORTC Headquarters, said “The SPECTAcolor project is now fully enabled for next-generation DNA sequencing through our collaboration with 14M Genomics.  We are expanding our SPECTA programme this year, starting with SPECTAlung, specialising in thoracic tumours, and SPECTAbrain, for patients with tumours arising in the central nervous system.  We will work with 14M Genomics on genomic profiling of these patients in readiness for clinical trial enrolment.”

Further information:

14M Genomics
Andrew Sandham
+44 (0) 1223 499975

JW Communications
Julia Wilson
+44 (0) 7818 430877

EORTC
Vassilis Golfinopoulos
Medical Vice Director EORTC Headquarters
vassilis.golfinopoulos@eortc.be

About 14M Genomics

14M Genomics aims to become a European leader in the provision of clinical genomics services and clinical decision support tools, which will inform the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. The company employs state-of-the-art sequencing and analytical tools, coupled with an in-depth understanding of cancer biology, to reveal associations between tumour genomics and the clinical path of the individual patient. 14MG aims to work together with the oncology community, academic institutions and pharmaceutical partners to improve the lives of cancer patients.

www.14mg.co.uk

About the EORTC

The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) brings together European cancer clinical research experts from all disciplines for trans-national collaboration.

Both multinational and multidisciplinary, the EORTC Network comprises more than 2,500 collaborators from all disciplines involved in cancer treatment and research in more than 300 hospitals in over 30 countries.

Through translational and clinical research, the EORTC offers an integrated approach to drug development, drug evaluation programs and medical practices.

EORTC Headquarters, a unique pan European clinical research infrastructure, is based in Brussels, Belgium, from where its various activities are coordinated and run.

www.eortc.org