Genetic testing firm Myriad Genetics and Ultima Genomics are joining forces to assess the use of the latter’s UG 100 sequencing platform and its ppmSeq technology to advance clinical test offerings in oncology and reproductive genomics.
The partnership also aims to enhance Myriad Genetics’ capabilities to provide new clinical tests.
Myriad Genetics has acquired a UG 100 platform, which will be integrated into its new Lab of the Future in South San Francisco.
Myriad Genetics chief operating officer Sam Raha said: “We regularly evaluate new platforms that have the possibility of supporting our mission. As part of that process, we have identified the UG 100 as a potentially transformative platform that may provide an industrial sequencing centre like ours the opportunity to lower costs, improve quality, and deepen insights simultaneously.”
According to the genetic testing company, the low-cost, low-error sequencing platform will support its emerging products that need high-fidelity sequencing data.
One key application is the Myriad Precise Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) test. This test performs whole-genome sequencing on tumour and normal tissue samples, identifying tumour-specific variants for tracking in a personalised panel.
Ultima Genomics will support in improving the Precise MRD test’s performance and reducing costs with ppmSeq on the UG 100.
In reproductive health, Myriad Genetics plans to launch the FirstGene Multiple Prenatal Screen. This test will streamline multiple prenatal screens into one sequencing workflow.
In addition, FirstGene will benefit from the deep and accurate sequencing capabilities of the UG 100 platform.
Ultima Genomics CEO Gilad Almogy said: “Ultima’s unique sequencing architecture was designed to specifically meet the needs of large-scale applications.
“For oncology applications, our ppmSeq technology offers accuracy at extremely low limits of detection and we believe this will be transformational for applications requiring earlier detection such as MRD.”
Myriad Genetics offers genetic tests that assess disease risk and guide treatment across various medical fields. These insights enhance patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
Ultima Genomics develops next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. Its sequencing architecture lowers the cost of sequencing, helping scientists and clinicians maximise the use of genomic information.
In July, laboratory services provider Labcorp signed an expanded collaboration with Ultima Genomics for its UG 100 sequencing solution and ppmSeq technology. The collaboration is intended to advance whole genome sequencing applications and oncology testing capabilities.
