Biodesix Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, has advanced two Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) testing programs in collaboration with Bio-Rad Laboratories and Thermo Fisher Scientific. These initiatives seek to detect circulating tumor DNA in blood samples, offering critical insights into cancer recurrence or persistence after treatment. The partnerships aim to enhance diagnostic capabilities for oncology patients by leveraging advanced bioinformatics and sequencing technologies.
The tumor-informed solution, developed in a multi-year collaboration with Bio-Rad Laboratories, utilizes Biodesix’s Diagnostic Cortex platform to profile a patient’s tumor tissue and identify genomic alterations. Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital PCR technology then monitors these changes in blood samples, enabling detection at a threshold of below 1 part per million of total DNA. This approach is designed to run on existing laboratory infrastructure, ensuring broad accessibility. Validation of this workflow is underway with investigators at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Simultaneously, Biodesix has partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop a tumor-naive solution. This method detects methylated circulating tumor DNA using next-generation sequencing on Thermo Fisher’s Genexus platform. Unlike the tumor-informed approach, it does not require archived tumor tissue, making it particularly useful when tissue samples are unavailable or insufficient. Both solutions are intended for validation in clinical settings, with data expected to be presented at upcoming conferences.
The collaborations reflect Biodesix’s focus on improving patient outcomes through more sensitive and accessible MRD testing. Scott Hutton, CEO of Biodesix, emphasized the importance of sensitivity and patient access in MRD detection. Gary Pestano, the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, will participate in a panel on MRD monitoring at the 5th Annual Roth Healthcare Opportunities Conference on September 29, 2026. Data from these programs will also be presented at the AMP 2026 Annual Meeting in Seattle (November 2026) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (December 2026), further advancing the clinical adoption of these technologies.
Biodesix’s partnerships underscore the growing convergence of diagnostics, sequencing, and oncology, positioning the company as a key player in precision cancer care.
