Belay Diagnostics has announced a strategic partnership with precision medicine software company GenomOncology to enhance the analysis capabilities of its cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) liquid biopsy tests for central nervous system (CNS) cancers. The collaboration, revealed on March 25, 2025, aims to streamline diagnostic workflows and improve treatment decision-making for patients with brain and spinal cord tumors.
The partnership centers on integrating GenomOncology's GO Pathology Workbench into Belay's variant interpretation and analysis workflow for its Summit™ test and comprehensive DNA panel. This implementation enables Belay's laboratory team to efficiently process thousands of samples monthly while maintaining high-quality variant interpretations and treatment recommendations.
Advanced Liquid Biopsy Technology for CNS Malignancies
Belay's Summit™ test represents a significant advancement in CNS cancer diagnostics as a liquid biopsy assay designed to inform the diagnosis and management of primary and secondary CNS malignancies. The test analyzes CSF samples to detect single nucleotide variants, multi-nucleotide variants, insertions, deletions, and chromosome arm-level alterations in genes associated with CNS tumors.
Complementing Summit™, Belay also offers Vantage™, a novel test that determines MGMT promoter methylation status in CSF—a critical biomarker for predicting response to alkylating chemotherapy agents in glioblastoma patients. Both tests can be ordered simultaneously using just 6mL of CSF and are processed at Belay's Chicago-based laboratory with a turnaround time of 7-10 days.
Dr. Honey Reddi, PhD, FACMG, Senior Vice President and Medical Director at Belay Diagnostics, emphasized the clinical value of their approach: "Our cutting-edge CSF liquid biopsy assay is designed to provide an innovative addition to existing options such as cytology, imaging scans, or brain biopsies. Through our collaboration with GenomOncology, we can efficiently reduce laboratory overhead and optimize the review and analysis of our clinical samples."
Enhanced Data Analysis and Interpretation
The GO Pathology Workbench provides Belay with comprehensive tertiary analysis capabilities, streamlining the entire process from variant analysis to report generation. The platform annotates detected variants, identifies matched potential clinical trials and therapies, and produces customizable reports that can be integrated into laboratory systems and electronic health record platforms.
Garreth Hippe, GenomOncology's Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the platform's adaptability: "The flexibility and customizability of the GO Pathology Workbench allow us to tailor the solution to fit the unique needs of Belay Diagnostics' assay and workflows. The extensive knowledge base enhances variant interpretation, improving turnaround times from sample review to treatment recommendation report."
Clinical Impact and Accessibility
The partnership addresses significant challenges in CNS cancer diagnostics, where traditional methods like brain biopsies carry substantial risks and limitations. Liquid biopsy testing of CSF offers a less invasive alternative that can provide critical molecular information to guide treatment decisions.
For patients with newly suspected or previously diagnosed CNS tumors, the enhanced efficiency of Belay's testing process means quicker access to molecular insights that can inform therapeutic options and clinical trial eligibility. The tests are particularly valuable for monitoring disease progression and treatment response without requiring repeated invasive procedures.
Educational Initiatives
To promote awareness of this advanced diagnostic approach, Dr. Reddi will host an educational webinar titled "Belay Summit™ + GenomOncology - Maximizing Clinical Utility to Inform Diagnosis of CNS Tumors" on April 9th at 12:00 noon Central time. The webinar will provide healthcare professionals with detailed information about the platform's capabilities and clinical applications.
Technical Capabilities
GenomOncology's Precision Oncology Platform (POP) powers the Pathology Workbench, combining proprietary content with public and licensed datasets to transform complex genomic data into actionable clinical insights. The system's ability to integrate with existing laboratory workflows and EHR platforms enhances its utility in clinical settings.
The partnership represents a significant advancement in precision oncology for CNS malignancies, combining Belay's innovative liquid biopsy technology with GenomOncology's sophisticated data analysis capabilities to improve diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and ultimately patient outcomes in a challenging area of oncology.
