Research projects supported across 14 countries globally to expand the benefits of next-generation sequencing worldwide

In support of global initiatives to advance molecular profiling in oncology, Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the latest recipients of the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant and the opening of its submissions for Spring 2023. Grant recipients are leading the exploration of new and expanded applications for next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based testing so that more cancer patients can access the benefits of precision medicine.

First introduced in 2020, the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant is awarded to independent clinical research teams with financial support up to $200,000 in reagents and general funding for their studies. Grants have been awarded to 22 unique research projects across 14 countries and five continents in areas including hematology-oncology, immune-oncology, liquid biopsy and gene fusion detection, all of which help advance vital clinical research in support of accessible and rapid NGS.

According to Jose Luis Costa, Ph.D., global director, scientific affairs, clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology, at Thermo Fisher Scientific, “As genomics continue to power clinical trials and patient care, we at Thermo Fisher feel that we are well positioned to enable researchers to unleash the full value and potential of NGS in oncology. We believe continuous support to clinical researchers and their projects supports the promise of precision medicine while democratizing access to NGS technologies for more patients globally. We stand by this promise by providing them with tangible means to achieve these goals.”

Grant Recipients Named

Based on the last call for proposals in the fall, the following researchers and projects have been selected as the newest grant recipients:

• Monica Lopez-Guerra, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain - “Molecular measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring by high-throughput techniques in patients with CART 19 therapy”
• Estrid Høgdall, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark - “HRD biomarker: Qualification and implementation of validated local HRD test”
• Paul Hofman, University of Côte d’Azur, France - “Comprehensive molecular characterization of early-stage NSCLC with KRAS G12C mutation using ODxET*”

Previous grant recipients have already started to further explore the potential of their research in regard to the impact of NGS testing. Dr. Kojo S.J. Elenitoba-Johnson, MD, now with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and his former team at the University of Pennsylvania, were 2020 recipients of the grant program. They recently published research in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, which found rapid NGS solutions that can deliver results in 24 hours or less can help accelerate the time to targeted treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

In relation to his team’s research, Dr. Elenitoba-Johnson noted, “AML has a low five-year survival rate, and we know that patients need to start an optimized, targeted therapy as quickly as possible to ensure they have a fighting chance. Our study supported by the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant shows how the rapid turnaround time associated with automated NGS solutions has the potential to have a real impact on patient outcomes.”

This fall, current and former recipients of the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant will have the opportunity to attend a closed scientific gala to share their research with the wider pharmaceutical community.

Grant applications are open now through May 15th, 2023, and proposals should recognize the planned activities to be performed within a maximum of 12 months, as well as an outline of the proposed use of the requested funds. Oncomine Grants are available for clinical research projects focusing on molecular testing in oncology and reproductive health.

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