BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genetron Holdings Limited (“Genetron Health” or the “Company”, NASDAQ: GTH), a leading precision oncology platform company in China that specializes in offering molecular profiling tests, early cancer screening products and companion diagnostics development, today announced the release of two research results from its Seq-MRD^® and FusionScan Plus product studies at the Association for Molecular Pathology 2021 annual meeting.

Seq-MRD^® detects minimal residual disease (MRD) in B-lymphoid malignancies, while FusionScan Plus can simultaneously detect a wide range of gene mutations and fusions. The two studies (#1064612, #1062999) verified the high sensitivity and high specificity of the two products, providing important insights for clinical diagnosis, medication guidance and monitoring of cancer relapses.

“Genetron Health developed the Seq-MRD^® and FusionScan Plus based on our patented One-Step Seq Technology, which offers significant operational advantages while delivering performance comparable to that of traditional detection methods,” said Dr. Yun-Fu Hu, Chief Medical Officer of Genetron Health. “Seq-MRD^® provides an effective way to detect recurrences earlier and improves clinical efficacy in patients with B-lymphoid malignancies. FusionScan Plus provides an effective reference for clinical pathological classification and targeted therapy strategies by detecting gene mutations and fusions.”

“The data from both of these studies further strengthened our confidence in these products’ clinical applications. Genetron Health has signed an exclusive agreement with Jiangsu Fosun Pharma and is working with them to accelerate the application of Seq-MRD^® in China’s key hematology hospitals and clinics. FusionScan Plus represents another future exciting product for us to tailor more precise clinical treatment plans for patients,” Dr. Yun-Fu Hu continued.

Seq-MRD^®—— A Next Generation Sequencing Assay for Detecting Residual Disease in B-lymphoid Malignancies

After hematological cancer treatment, patients’ bodies may sometimes not respond to treatment, or drug-resistant cancer cells may linger. Therefore, a considerable proportion of patients may still relapse. The number of these residual cancer cells are so small that they do not cause any recurring symptoms in the body, and it is difficult to detect them through traditional clinical methods. In order to accurately detect these residual cancer cells in patients after treatment, Seq-MRD^® scans for them through high throughput sequencing of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. This product’s performance was validated by study #1064612.

Genetron Health incorporated different types of samples in this study, including bone marrow from 56 B-cell malignancy patients, peripheral blood from 40 healthy donors, multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI8226, and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell line NALM6. Test performance parameters included accuracy, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), repeatability, limit of blank (LOB), and others.

The study showed that high-throughput sequencing of B-cell receptor (BCR) genes also exhibit higher sensitivity and specificity in the detection of MRD in lymphoid malignancies.

FusionScan Plus— An Intergreted DNA and RNA Next Generation Sequencing Assay for Simultaneously Detecting Multiple Gene Mutations and Fusions with Lower Thresholds

Drugs targeting gene fusions have been used in clinical situations to treat cancer patients, and detecting gene fusions and drug resistant mutations can help better predict therapy effectiveness. High-throughput sequencing of integrated DNA and RNA is an ideal method to screen for gene mutations and fusions. However, current assays based on parallel detection of DNA and RNA can only detect specific gene mutations and fusions, and oftentimes need many different samples. Therefore, there is a strong clinical need for an assay that can simultaneously detect a wide range of gene mutations and fusions, and with lower threshold requirements.

Genetron Health has developed a next generation sequencing assay, FusionScan Plus, which uses integrated DNA and RNA as a template for genetic alteration detection. Based on Genetron Health’s One Step Seq Method, FusionScan Plus covers 23 tumor-related genes and 37 fusion genes without a priori knowledge of 5' fusion partner. The study (#1062999) from examining 76 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples proved that FusionScan Plus demonstrated high accuracy in the simultaneous detection of gene mutations and fusions without a priori knowledge of 5' fusion partner. It can be used to detect drug sites for cancer patients, even with limited biopsy samples, and presents promising insights for clinical applications.

About AMP

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) was founded in 1995 to provide structure and leadership to the emerging field of molecular diagnostics. AMP's 2,500+ members practice various disciplines of molecular diagnostics, including bioinformatics, infectious diseases, inherited conditions, and oncology. Its members are pathologists, clinical laboratory directors, basic and translational scientists, technologists, and trainees that practice in a variety of settings, including academic and community medical centers, government, and industry. Through the efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Working Groups, and Members, AMP is the primary resource for expertise, education, and collaboration in one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare. AMP members influence policy and regulation on the national and international levels, ultimately serving to advance innovation in the field and protect patient access to high-quality, appropriate testing. For more information, visit www.amp.org and follow AMP on Twitter: @AMPath.

About Genetron Holdings Limited

Genetron Holdings Limited (“Genetron Health” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:GTH) is a leading precision oncology platform company in China that specializes in cancer molecular profiling and harnesses advanced technologies in molecular biology and data science to transform cancer treatment. The Company has developed a comprehensive oncology portfolio that covers the entire spectrum of cancer management, addressing needs and challenges from early screening, diagnosis and treatment recommendations, as well as continuous disease monitoring and care. Genetron Health also partners with global biopharmaceutical companies and offers customized services and products. For more information, please visit ir.genetronhealth.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact

Hoki Luk
Email: hoki.luk@genetronhealth.com
Phone: +1 (408) 891-9255

Media Relations Contact

Yanrong Zhao
yanrong.zhao@genetronhealth.com