A meta-analysis showed that early circulating tumor cell dynamics were associated with overall survival using Menarini Silicon Biosystems' CellSearch assay.
Epic will access the center's liquid biopsy samples and expand its platform to in-depth characterization of cell-free fractions and circulating tumor cells.
The startup aims to combine its microfluidic platform with a circulating tumor DNA-based assay offered by a potential partner and launch the test by 2022.
The companies said their partnership will allow pharmaceutical partners to measure both ctDNA and CTC biomarkers from a single blood draw when conducting drug trials.
Using baseline blood samples, researchers have identified an eight-gene expression signature to predict patient responses to Zytiga plus prednisone or Xtandi.
Epic may also develop a liquid biopsy test combining the chromosomal instability biomarker with other markers to predict prostate cancer treatment response.
Analyzing both circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells, investigators could classify patients into groups with significantly higher and lower recurrence risk.
The company's total revenue for the three months ended March 31 was $108.8 million compared to $92.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, exceeding analyst expectations.
