Transgenomic Announces Two New Tests for Colorectal Cancer, Melanoma

By Ron Shinkman, Editor, Laboratory Industry Report

Transgenomic has released two new liquid biopsy tests for colorectal cancer and metastatic melanoma.

Both panels will focus on genetic mutations that may indicate specific responses to targeted pharmaceutical or other treatments.

Transgenomic's MX-ICP CRC Analysis panel for colorectal cancer focuses on mutations in the KRAS and NRAS exons 2, 3 and 4; BRAF exon 15; PIK3CA exons 9 and 20; and EGFR exon 12 (S492R), which are associated with more than half of all colorectal cancer tumors. The MX-ICP Melanoma Analysis panel tests for BRAF exon 15 and NRAS exon 2 and 3 mutations, which have been identified in up to three-quarters of malignant melanoma tumors.

"Despite recent gains in treatment, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, with an annual toll of more than 49,000. Metastatic melanoma remains a deadly disease, with 5-year survival rates of only 10%. The high level of unmet medical need in these conditions is spurring development of many new treatment options that make the use of genomic-based analysis for personalized medicine all the more essential," said Transgenomic Chief Executive Officer Paul Kinnon in a statement.

The Omaha, Neb.-based company has been struggling as of late. It received a warning from NASDAQ late last month warning that its stock price has been below $1 a share for too long a period of time and could be delisted. It reported a loss of $7.9 million on revenue of $117,000 for the third quarter ending Sept. 30. It has yet to announce its fourth quarter and full calendar 2015 earnings.