MolecularMD Develops Notch1 Next Generation Sequencing Test to Support Clinical Development for OncoMed's Anti-Notch1 Antibody, OMP-52M51


PORTLAND, OR and CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwired - Jun 12, 2014) - MolecularMD Corp., a molecular diagnostics company that provides custom companion diagnostic solutions and supporting clinical trial services for targeted cancer therapies, in collaboration with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will present the development and validation of a proprietary Notch1 Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) test at the upcoming 19th European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress. 

At the EHA, MolecularMD and OncoMed will present the validation studies for the proprietary Notch1 NGS assay being developed to identify Notch1 mutation status in patients with certain hematologic malignancies. Notch1 mutations have been linked to more refractory lymphoid malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma, and others, putting patients at greater risk for poor outcomes and reduced overall survival. The MolecularMD Notch1 NGS Assay is being developed as a companion diagnostic to identify patients whose cancer may be more likely to benefit from treatment with OncoMed's anti-Notch1 antibody, OMP-52M51, currently in Phase 1 clinical studies.

The following abstract will be available at the EHA website and has been selected for presentation during the Congress:

Abstract #P861: Development and validation of a Notch1 custom NGS assay for identifying Notch1 mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other lymphoid malignancies
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM 
Session: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related disorders - Clinical 2

About MolecularMD NGS Diagnostics for Oncology

MolecularMD has developed and validated a wide range of NGS cancer panels in both Cambridge and Portland labs under CLIA to support early stage and pivotal clinical studies. It specializes in the design and validation of tissue and blood-based custom NGS panels to query drug-relevant genomic regions for retrospective evaluations and prospective clinical trial enrollment. Employing a range of platforms and bioinformatics methods, MolecularMD has developed proprietary chemistries and data analysis pipelines that enable it to offer more comprehensive genotyping interrogation, including detection of large insertions and deletions (up to approximately 50 base pairs) and determination of mutation phasing for various applications.

About MolecularMD

MolecularMD Corporation develops and commercializes specialty molecular diagnostics for oncology applications. Its tests are designed to allow appropriate selection, monitoring and management of patients treated with molecularly-targeted cancer therapies. MolecularMD integrates gold standard and innovative platform technologies with custom clinical assay design and validation to accelerate all phases of clinical development, including FDA approval and commercialization of in vitro companion diagnostic tests for novel anticancer agents. A private company based in Portland, Oregon, MolecularMD was founded by Dr. Brian Druker, director of the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University, and Sheridan G. Snyder, entrepreneur and founder of Genzyme Corporation.

Contact Information:

Media Inquiries:
Tina Beauchemin
MolecularMD
(617) 575-2824 x613