Roche launches NGS AVENIO Tumor Tissue Analysis Kits for oncology research

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd / Roche launches NGS AVENIO Tumor Tissue Analysis Kits for oncology research . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Ready-to-use kits determine genomic characteristics of solid tumours

Optimized workflow to generate results in house

Software analysis allows correlation to AVENIO ctDNA NGS kits

Basel, 15 October 2018 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced the global commercial launch of three new next-generation sequencing (NGS) AVENIO Tumor Tissue Analysis Kits - the AVENIO Tumor Tissue Targeted Kit, Expanded Kit and Surveillance Kit.^[1] The kits, which detect all four mutation classes in solid tumours, complement Roche's NGS ctDNA kits for oncology research. The AVENIO research-use-only (RUO) portfolio of ready-to-use kits provides reagents and software needed for labs to determine the genomic characteristics of solid tumours through a single DNA workflow.

"With the launch of these innovative assays we are pleased to further empower researchers around the world to continue to advance personalised oncology," said Michael Heuer, CEO Roche Diagnostics. "These three ready-to-use AVENIO Tumor Tissue Analysis Kits enable researchers by providing relevant panel content that cover all four mutation classes to support the wide variety of cases that require genomic profiling, and complement the previously launched AVENIO ctDNA assays for liquid biopsy."

Like the AVENIO ctDNA Analysis Kits launched in 2017, the AVENIO Tumor Tissue Analysis Kits are aligned with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to support oncology research.^[2] Researchers can now use the AVENIO family of NGS oncology assays to profile the genomic complexities of a variety of solid tumour types using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue or plasma to obtain detailed results from either workflow within five days.

"Cancer is a highly complex and dynamic disease, so the ability to obtain a detailed and accurate summary of the genomic profile of malignancies is critical. By combining the new AVENIO Tumor Tissue Kits with ctDNA kits containing exactly matched gene content, Roche has created an innovative new system not only for genomic profiling of solid tumours, but also to better understand how tumour heterogeneity and tumour burden change over time," said Aadel Chaudhuri, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine.