USA – Biofidelity, a genomics company specializing in simplified genomic profiling, has launched its Aspyre Lung reagents, designed for liquid biopsy samples in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) research.
Biofidelity’s new Aspyre Clinical Test for Lung delivers comprehensive genomic profiling for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients from tissue or liquid biopsy samples within two days, enabling faster and more effective treatment decisions.
The new reagents, which utilize Biofidelity’s innovative allele-specific pyrophosphorolysis reaction (ASPYRE) technology, offer a simplified approach to identifying established NSCLC biomarkers in both DNA and RNA from tissue and blood.
This streamlined process uses a straightforward four-step workflow and runs on existing qPCR platforms, making it easier for laboratories worldwide to integrate.
Currently designated for research use only, Aspyre Lung enables the detection of 114 actionable variants across 11 genes in paired DNA and RNA samples from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tissue.
This is achieved through a single workflow that incorporates quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and is analyzed via Biofidelity’s ASPYRELab cloud-based software for variant calls and quality checks.
According to Biofidelity, Aspyre Lung could offer a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for analyzing multiple variations from a single sample.
This could make PCR and qPCR testing faster and more affordable, potentially improving the accessibility of genomic testing for NSCLC, which remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat.
“Until now, there has not been an alternative to next-generation sequencing (NGS) to provide fast, simple, decentralized testing for NSCLC biomarkers,” said Barnaby Balmforth, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Biofidelity.
“Aspyre Lung’s best-in-class performance from tissue and blood, coupled with its proven capability with challenging samples, makes Simplified Genomic Profiling (SGP) via Aspyre Lung a game-changer for laboratories globally.”
NSCLC accounts for around 85% of all lung cancer cases and is typically linked to smoking, though non-smokers can also develop the disease.
Early detection and precise genomic profiling play critical roles in guiding effective treatments for NSCLC patients, whose options have expanded significantly in recent years.
Biofidelity’s data supporting the launch of Aspyre Lung will be presented at the Association for Molecular Pathology Annual Meeting & Expo (AMP24) in Vancouver, Canada, from November 19-23, 2024.
Dr. Jeff Gregg, Biofidelity’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, will lead an Innovation Spotlight session titled “Aspyre Lung: Simplified Genomic Profiling—A faster, simpler, decentralized alternative to NGS.”
He emphasized that “An accessible liquid biopsy platform that can be easily validated and implemented in laboratories globally without the need for investment in new equipment and bioinformatics will undoubtedly lead to a fundamental paradigm shift, enabling broader access to genomic testing.”
Biofidelity, with facilities in Cambridge, U.K., and Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, continues to innovate in the field of genomics, offering solutions that could reshape how cancer is diagnosed and treated on a global scale.