CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMI) and AstraZeneca today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to develop a novel companion diagnostic assay for Lynparza (olaparib) to support its global development program. The companion diagnostic will enable physicians to identify those patients most likely to benefit from AstraZeneca’s first-in-class poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor.
Lynparza is an innovative, oral PARP inhibitor that exploits tumor DNA repair pathway deficiencies to preferentially kill cancer cells. This mode of action gives olaparib the potential for activity in a range of tumor types with DNA repair deficiencies. Lynparza is approved in the US for the treatment of patients with germline BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer and in the European Union for patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed BRCA-mutated high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Foundation Medicine will develop and make available a regulatory approved product utilizing the Quality Systems Regulations (QSR)-compliant version of its FoundationOne® comprehensive genomic profiling platform. This assay will detect multiple classes of genomic alterations across a range of genes involved in Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR). The assay, based on a scientifically selected panel of genes known to be involved in driving the HRR process, will be developed alongside the clinical program for Lynparza, as part of a coordinated drug-diagnostic regulatory strategy.
Nina Mojas, global medicine lead for Lynparza at AstraZeneca said, “This agreement supports the broad development program for our first-in-class PARP inhibitor, Lynparza. Utilizing Foundation Medicine’s leading capabilities in molecular information will help our work to assess the potential of the medicine to address unmet patient need across a number of cancers driven by DNA repair deficiencies, including and – significantly – beyond the BRCA mutations.”
“Following our new master collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca, we are pleased to launch this first strategic initiative to support and advance the development of Lynparza in a number of cancers,” stated Steven J. Kafka, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer for Foundation Medicine. “The work we’ve undertaken with AstraZeneca underscores the importance and potential of utilizing our rigorously validated, comprehensive profiling approach to make available to physicians an FDA-approved universal companion diagnostic solution for use with targeted medicines.”
About Foundation Medicine
Foundation Medicine (NASDAQ:FMI) is a molecular information company dedicated to a transformation in cancer care in which treatment is informed by a deep understanding of the genomic changes that contribute to each patient’s unique cancer. The company offers a full suite of comprehensive genomic profiling assays to identify the molecular alterations in a patient’s cancer and match them with relevant targeted therapies, immunotherapies and clinical trials. Foundation Medicine's molecular information platform aims to improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers to help advance the science of molecular medicine in cancer. For more information, please visit http://www.FoundationMedicine.com or follow Foundation Medicine on Twitter (@FoundationATCG).
Foundation Medicine® and FoundationOne® are registered trademarks of Foundation Medicine, Inc.
About Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is an innovative, first-in-class oral poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that exploits tumour DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies to preferentially kill cancer cells. Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca’s industry-leading portfolio of compounds targeting DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms in cancer cells. Lynparza is approved in the EU for the treatment of adult patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed BRCA-mutated (germline and/or somatic) high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. It is approved in the US for the treatment of patients with germline BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with three or more prior lines of chemotherapy.
About AstraZeneca in Oncology
AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least 6 new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020 and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance New Oncology as one of AstraZeneca’s six Growth Platforms focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy, as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.
By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms -- immuno-oncology, the genetic drivers of cancer and resistance, DNA damage response and antibody drug conjugates -- and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune disease (RIA), cardiovascular and metabolic disease (CVMD) and oncology – as well as in infection and neuroscience. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding an agreement between Foundation Medicine and AstraZeneca to develop a companion diagnostic assay for Lynparza; the development of a coordinated regulatory strategy for Lynparza and the companion diagnostic assay; the ability of the companion diagnostic assay to detect multiple classes of genomic alterations across a range of genes involved in Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) and advance the development of Lynparza in a number of cancers; and FMI’s ability to develop an FDA-approved universal companion diagnostic assay. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that Foundation Medicine is not able to develop a companion diagnostic assay that meets the requirements of AstraZeneca or the FDA; a coordinated regulatory strategy cannot be implemented; the commercialization of Lynparza does not proceed as expected; and the risks described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Foundation Medicine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other risks detailed in Foundation Medicine's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Foundation Medicine undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.
