Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Latest Round of Oncomine Clinical Research Grant Awardees

Recipients’ research focused on melanoma diagnosis, treatment response in advanced NSCLC, and bypassing common hurdles in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the latest recipients of the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant, recognizing research from the Melanoma Institute Australia, the University of Turin in Italy and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The grant program, now in its seventh round of awardees, supports investigator-initiated studies with the aim to increase high-quality molecular profiling in oncology and to help democratize precision medicine.

Since its introduction in 2020, the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant program has provided up to $200,000 in reagents and general funding for 22 unique research projects conducted by independent clinical research teams. Grants have been awarded across 14 countries and five continents, spanning research topics from molecular profiling in solid-tumors, pediatric oncology, hemato-oncology, immune-oncology and liquid biopsy, all of which help to study potential new and expanded applications for accessible and rapid next-generation sequencing (NGS).

“The Oncomine Clinical Research Grant program provides us the opportunity to support emerging research projects and their goal of delivering on the promise of precision oncology through the democratization of NGS technology,” said Jose Luis Costa, Ph.D., global director, scientific affairs, clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We are committed to understanding the profound impacts NGS technology can have on clinical outcomes and are working with partners worldwide to accelerate research across this important field.”

Meet the Latest Grant Recipients

Based on the last call for proposals in Spring 2023, the following researchers and projects have been selected as the most recent grant recipients:

• Richard Scolyer, Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia – “Getting melanoma diagnosis right: migration of clinical validation of the MIA genomic ancillary test on the Genexus platform for regular clinical testing.”
  • Researchers will use the Ion Torrent Genexus system to migrate the Melanoma Institute Australia’s genomic classifier into routine clinical testing.
• Silvia Novello and Marco Volante, University of Turin, Italy – “Integrated molecular analysis to depict signatures associated with TKI treatment response in advanced NSCLC and to identify novel predictive biomarkers.”
  • Researchers will work to fill an unmet need in precision oncology and will identify novel clinically relevant biomarkers of response to TKI in specific oncogene-addicted scenarios and increase the amount of available predictive tools of therapeutic responsiveness at baseline.
• Wencheng Li, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, United States of America – “Biomarker Assessment by Next Generation Sequencing Using the Supernatants from Fine Needle Aspiration of NSCLC.”
  • Researchers will work to identify solutions for frequently encountered problems (inadequate specimen, indeterminate diagnosis, less-than-optimal turnaround time and false negative result) in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.

Oncomine Clinical Research Grant Impact

In late 2023, Oncomine Clinical Research Grant recipients had the opportunity to attend a closed Oncomine Scientific Gala to share their research with the wider pharmaceutical community and showcase the results of their studies and the impact NGS testing can have on oncology research and patient care.

Dr. Elena Guerini Rocco, MD, of the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS in Italy, was a 2021 recipient of the grant program. In July of 2023, Dr. Rocco and her team published a study in The European Journal of Cancer based on their research of the immune-related aspects of pregnancy-associated breast cancer, which outlined the similarities in immune suppressive mechanisms found between normal pregnancy and breast cancer.

In relation to her team’s research, Dr. Rocco noted, “Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is a rare and complex condition that impacts about 1 in 3,000 women. Our study supported by the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant allows us to understand the similarities of immune-related aspects of normal pregnancy and those who suffer from PABC. This brings us one step closer to identifying targeted therapies that could help patients with PABC.”

Applications for the Spring 2024 round of the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant will open March 1, 2024, and close April 30, 2024. Successful proposals should address the molecular landscape of tumors, with a focus on how molecular testing can enhance treatment precision and unlock novel strategies for improving patient outcomes. Proposals should include an outline of planned activities to be performed within a maximum of 12 months, as well as an outline of the proposed use of the requested funds.

For more information, please visit www.oncomine.com/grants.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue over $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.