Biocartis and City of Hope Partner to Develop Rapid Blood-Based Gene Signature Test for Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection
Key Insights
Biocartis (search) has entered into an agreement with City of Hope (search) to explore developing a rapid, blood-based, sample-to-answer gene signature test for early detection of pancreatic cancer (search) on the Idylla™ Platform (search).
The test leverages a microRNA-based liquid biopsy signature validated across multiple international patient cohorts, which City of Hope (search) says can detect what current FDA-approved noninvasive tests miss.
Biocartis (search) secured an option to license key patents and related know-how from City of Hope (search) to accelerate test development, though the test remains investigational and not yet available for diagnostic use.
Biocartis (search) announced on June 9, 2026, that it has entered into an agreement with City of Hope (search) to explore the development of a rapid, blood-based, sample-to-answer gene signature test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer (search). Under the terms of the agreement, Biocartis has secured an option to license key patents and related know-how from City of Hope, positioning the company to accelerate test development on its proprietary Idylla™ Platform (search). The test is currently investigational and not yet available for diagnostic use.
The collaboration brings together City of Hope (search)'s extensive research in microRNA-based liquid biopsy technology and Biocartis (search)'s fully automated, real-time PCR-based Idylla™ Platform (search), which delivers in-house molecular biomarker results in approximately three hours.
Addressing a Critical Unmet Need
Pancreatic cancer (search) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, in large part because it is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and the chance of cure is significantly diminished. "There is a tremendous clinical need to detect pancreatic cancer at earlier stages when the chance of cure is significantly higher than at later stages, where treatment options are limited," said Dr. W. Michael Korn, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Biocartis (search). "With this collaboration, we will work towards a rapid and sensitive early detection test that will particularly benefit patients with increased risk of the disease."
The envisioned test would offer a noninvasive, blood-based approach to screening, potentially transforming how at-risk populations are monitored and enabling earlier therapeutic intervention.
Building on Validated microRNA Science
The scientific foundation for the test rests on years of research conducted at City of Hope (search) under the leadership of Ajay Goel, PhD, AGAF, Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics. "City of Hope has spent years building and validating a microRNA-based liquid biopsy signature across multiple international patient cohorts, and the data consistently show the platform can detect what current FDA-approved noninvasive tests miss," said Dr. Goel.
This microRNA signature represents a potentially significant advance over existing noninvasive testing modalities, offering the prospect of improved sensitivity for early-stage disease detection. The specific performance characteristics and validation data were not disclosed in the announcement.
Strategic Positioning on the Idylla™ Platform (search)
The Idylla™ Platform (search) is a fully automated, sample-to-result system that uses real-time PCR technology to deliver molecular biomarker results in approximately three hours. The platform is CE-marked in Europe in compliance with EU IVD Regulation 2017/746, listed as a class II device in the United States, and registered in numerous other countries. Biocartis (search)'s expanding portfolio of diagnostic tests and research assays currently addresses clinical needs across multiple cancer types, including lung, skin, thyroid, colorectal, endometrial, blood, brain, and breast cancer.
Under the option agreement, City of Hope (search) is entitled to an option fee payment. Further financial terms were not disclosed.
The partnership underscores Biocartis (search)'s strategic focus on expanding the clinical utility of its Idylla™ Platform (search) into early cancer detection, complementing its existing portfolio of therapy-guiding biomarker tests and broadening the potential impact on patient care across the cancer continuum.