By Sahil Pandey
June 29 (Reuters) – Genetic testing firm Natera and cancer drug developer Aveta Biomics said on Monday they have partnered on a late-stage study of an experimental therapy for head and neck cancer, in a bid to improve how patients’ response to treatment is monitored.
Shares of Natera were up about 2% in morning trading.
Here are some details:
• The study will test Aveta’s APG-157, an experimental oral therapy designed to help the body fight tumors, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
• Natera said its Signatera test will be used in the study to assess molecular residual disease and treatment response, and will serve as a secondary endpoint.
• “This represents yet another cancer type that is validating Signatera as likely having a material use case in the clinic for patients,” Evercore ISI analyst Daniel Markowitz said.
• “We continue to see a growing body of evidence that suggests Signatera is on its way to gaining traction in the large and underpenetrated cancer monitoring market,” Markowitz added
• The companies said the test will be used before, during and after treatment to monitor patients’ response.
• Aveta Biomics said the study will enroll about 826 patients globally, including in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia.
• It said the study builds on data from a mid-stage trial showing the therapy helped control tumors and showed encouraging survival outcomes.
• The trial is expected to begin enrollment in the second half of 2026, the companies said.
(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
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