Quintiles Aims To Improve Biomarker-targeted Therapies

Quintiles has initiated a plan to improve the development of biomarker-targeted therapies through a new approach that promotes the genomic “pre-profiling” of cancer patients. Quintiles, with the participation of U.S. Oncology Research, supported by McKesson Specialty Health and The U.S. Oncology Network, will study operational feasibility and clinical benefits of an upfront approach to the genomic profiling of tumors from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. The study will investigate how pre-profiling and genomic sequencing data can support physician treatment, including the identification of appropriate clinical trials for patients.
 
“Today, the industry’s approach to stratifying patients through genomic screening is sequential — testing for oncology biomarkers one at a time, and often only as part of screening for participation in a single clinical trial,” said Jeffrey Spaeder, M.D., chief medical and scientific officer for Quintiles. “Early indications from this study suggest that we can provide physicians and patients with early visibility on potentially clinically actionable biomarkers within a rapid two-week timeframe. This level and speed of analysis has promise to save valuable time in administering potentially life-saving therapies to patients, and reduce the development times of precision medicines.”