Illumina Partners with Pharma to Advance Personalized Oncology

Illumina Inc. has announced global partnerships with top pharmaceutical companies for companion diagnostics (CDx) on Illumina’s TruSight Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive genomic profiling test.

The collaboration focuses on KRAS alterations, a significant biomarker associated with improper cell growth and cancer progression.

Traci Pawlowski, vice president and head of Clinical Solutions at Illumina, shared that developing CDx claims for the KRAS biomarker is an exciting step toward expanding patient access to targeted therapies. "Developing companion diagnostic claims for the historically important KRAS biomarker will enable broader identification of patients who may benefit from targeted therapies, regardless of tumour origin," she said.

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The TSO Comprehensive test provides a comprehensive molecular profile of a patient’s tumor, helping clinicians match patients to approved targeted therapies or clinical trials based on their specific genetic mutations. In the case of KRAS mutations, this precision is particularly important as KRAS mutations are recognized as one of the most frequently altered oncogenes in cancer.

Traditionally thought of as “undruggable,” KRAS-driven tumors have demonstrated challenges in treatment across multiple tumor types, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Nonetheless, advances in the fields of genomics and the detection of KRAS variants, are allowing for unexpected therapies and better outcomes.

Illumina is expanding its pipeline of CDx claims with its partnerships with Pharma helping to drive innovation in targeted therapies and immunotherapies. By increasing access to KRAS companion diagnostics, the company is advancing precision oncology and solidifying its position as a global leader in genomics-driven healthcare innovation.