12.09.2024
Targeted therapies developed for specific oncogenic mutations have become the mainstream in cancer treatment, making genetic testing an essential part of cancer care. PlexBio Co., Ltd. (TPEx: 6572), a leading provider of multiplex diagnostic solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Biomedica Equipamentos e Suprimentos Hospitalares Ltda. (Biomédica Brazil). This collaboration will introduce PlexBio's patented πCode® detection platform and its molecular diagnostic products for cancer gene mutation testing to medical centers and diagnostic institutions across Brazil through Biomédica Brazil's distribution network. This milestone will significantly increase the accessibility of cancer genetic testing in Brazil and marks an important step in promoting precision medicine in emerging markets.
As targeted therapies become the standard in oncology, high treatment costs coupled with the need for efficient and accurate treatment options have driven the demand of companion diagnostics tests in precision medicine. However, the high costs associated with technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) have made precision medicine a high barrier in developing countries. These nations often struggle with the expenses of establishing regulation-compliant pathology laboratories, high-performance data analysis centers, and local institutional support.
PlexBio’s automated IntelliPlex detection platform, along with its proprietary πCode® technology, allows general laboratory personnel to perform tests with ease. Coupled with PlexBio's Lung Cancer Panel—which test for key driver gene mutations, including EGFR, BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, and PIK3CA, from both tissue and liquid biopsy samples—Biomédica Brazil will be able to promote this technology across medical institutions in Brazil with access to t to diagnostic capabilities and quality on par with advanced countries.
To expand into developing markets, PlexBio started from Brazil as a starting point in January 2024, providing Lung Cancer Panel to Brazil's largest cancer medical group, Oncoclinicas Group's Precision Medicine Laboratory (OCPM). All testing results achieved 100% consistency validation tests. Notably, a team from the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP), led by renowned scholar Dr. Evandro Sobroza de Mello, demonstrated that PlexBio’s πCode® detection technology serves as an efficient alternative to next-generation sequencing (NGS). The research was presented at the 34th Brazilian Pathology Congress, won an excellence award, further validating the reliability and accuracy of PlexBio’s technology.
Biomédica is committed to bringing innovative diagnostic technologies to Brazil, offering reliable, effective, and affordable products nationwide. With Biomédica Brazil’s strong distribution networks and the successful validation by leading Brazilian cancer treatment centers, OCPM, the collaboration is aimed to expand PlexBio’s technology utilized across more key cancer medical institutions and make precision medicine more accessible throughout Brazil.
Dr. Dean Tsao, Chairman of PlexBio, stated: “At PlexBio, we are committed to developing high-performance, user-friendly, and competitive in vitro diagnostic instruments and reagents to ensure patients receive high-quality, accessible healthcare. Our precision medicine strategy is to complement advanced screening methods like NGS in developed countries, while offering low-cost, high-efficiency solutions in developing markets. This partnership with Biomédica Brazil will expand PlexBio’s market presence in developing countries, promoting precision medicine to benefit more patients globally.”