On July 15, 2021 Foundation Medicine, Inc. reported that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for FoundationOneLiquid CDx to be used as a companion diagnostic to aid in identifying patients with MET exon 14 skipping (METex14) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for whom treatment with TABRECTA (capmatinib) may be appropriate (Press release, Foundation Medicine, JUL 15, 2021, View Source [SID1234584892]). TABRECTA is the first therapy approved by the FDA for adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have an alteration that leads to METex14. FoundationOne Liquid CDx analyzes the largest genomic region of any FDA-approved comprehensive liquid biopsy test and was approved by the FDA in August 2020 to report genomic alteration results for patients with any solid tumor.

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NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer diagnoses,[1] 3 to 4% of which are associated with METex14.[2] Today’s approval adds to the number of therapies for which both of Foundation Medicine’s FDA-approved comprehensive genomic tests are listed as companion diagnostics. FoundationOneCDx, Foundation Medicine’s tissue test, was approved as a companion diagnostic for TABRECTA in May 2020.

"For lung cancer patients with METex14, having the option of a non-invasive liquid biopsy expands access to this first-of-its kind therapy and helps meet a critical patient need," said Brian Alexander, M.D., M.P.H., chief executive officer at Foundation Medicine. "This approval, coupled with last year’s simultaneous therapy and companion diagnostic approval for TABRECTA and our tissue test, FoundationOne CDx, is an important advancement and demonstrates the value of having multiple highly-validated comprehensive genomic testing options for physicians to consider for the individual needs of each patient."

Using a simple blood sample, FoundationOne Liquid CDx analyzes over 300 cancer-related genes for genomic alterations. The test is now approved as a companion diagnostic for nine targeted therapies across four cancer types. TABRECTA is the second therapy for which both of Foundation Medicine’s FDA-approved tests, FoundationOne CDx and FoundationOne Liquid CDx, are listed as companion diagnostics.

Additionally, as a laboratory professional service which has not been reviewed or approved by the FDA, the FoundationOne Liquid CDx report delivers information about the genomic signatures microsatellite instability (MSI) and blood tumor mutational burden (bTMB), as well as single gene alterations, including NTRK fusions, to help inform the use of other therapies including immunotherapies. Also, as a laboratory professional service, the report provides relevant clinical trial information and includes interpretive content developed in accordance with professional guidelines in oncology for patients with any solid tumor.

Foundation Medicine’s strategic collaboration with Novartis now includes four companion diagnostics for the Novartis portfolio of targeted oncology therapeutics.