India-based clinical genomics firm Positive Bioscience has signed an agreement to produce US-based Biodesix's GeneStrat and VeriStrat liquid biopsy tests in India.

The tests will be accessible for Indian patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Testing will be carried out at Biodesix’s CLIA/CAP/CLEP/ISO certified laboratory located in Boulder, Colorado, US.

The predictive and prognostic blood-based proteomic VeriStrat test is designed to evaluate disease aggressiveness by identifying host response to the tumour.

According to the findings from clinical studies of the VeriStrat test, to allow treatment decisions, the classification as VeriStrat-Good or VeriStrat-Poor can be used for NSCLC patients with squamous or non-squamous histology, and those with wild-type or unknown EGFR mutation status.

This partnership will provide lung cancer patients in India with access to critical liquid biopsy tests for the first time, enabling the highest standard of care.

The test is developed to inform the use of targeted therapies for lung cancer patients by measuring circulating tumour DNA and RNA using a sensitive droplet digital PCR platform.

The GeneStrat test delivers results for EGFR sensitising, EGFR resistance (T790M), KRAS and BRAF mutations, EML4-ALK, ROS1, and RETS fusion variants.

In January, Biodesix also collaborated with Beijing-based Bioyong Industries and entered a distribution agreement with Israeli Progenetics in March.