Pillar Biosciences and AstraZeneca team up to expand access to liquid biopsy NGS
Pillar Biosciences, Inc. has partnered with AstraZeneca to make liquid biopsy tumor profiling easier to access where care happens. The goal is straightforward: deliver affordable, rapid Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing solutions to local laboratories and the clinicians they support, so more patients receive timely, actionable diagnostic information.
Bringing liquid biopsy closer to patients in Europe and the UK
This collaboration centers on widening access to liquid biopsy testing for tumor profiling, with a focus on the European markets and the UK. By deploying advanced NGS-based panels, the partners aim to speed up the detection of clinically relevant genomic alterations—so the right information reaches the care team without delay.
Kitted NGS panels built for speed and clarity
At launch, the effort will use Pillar Biosciences’ oncoReveal Core LBx, Essential LBx, and Fusion LBx kitted NGS panels. These tools are designed for efficient analysis of circulating cell-free tumor DNA (cfDNA) and, where needed, circulating cell-free tumor RNA (cfRNA). The oncoReveal Core LBx panel surveys 104 genes from cfDNA. Essential LBx examines 34 genes. Fusion LBx targets fusion forms across 18 driver genes from cfRNA. Together, they enable comprehensive profiling, and the entire workflow can be completed in under three days—compressing the time from sample to result.
What this means for clinical laboratories
The partnership supports leading laboratories in batching tests for both cfDNA and cfRNA from more than 22 patients in a single Illumina NextSeq™ run. Batching at this scale helps drive cost efficiency while maintaining high sensitivity and specificity in genetic profiling. It also supports more predictable scheduling and turnaround, which matters when clinicians are waiting on results to guide treatment.
Faster answers for oncologists and their patients
Dan Harma, Chief Commercial Officer of Pillar Biosciences, stated, "Access to cost-effective, user-friendly NGS kits is crucial for local labs to provide actionable insights to oncologists, ultimately supporting treatment decisions for cancer patients on a global scale." With oncoReveal panels available locally, labs can produce results sooner than traditional send-out methods allow, shortening the wait for information that informs next steps in care.
Expanding global access to biomarker testing
AstraZeneca’s commitment to increasing patient access to biomarker testing is a key driver behind this work. John Longshore, Head of Scientific Affairs for Global Oncology Diagnostics at AstraZeneca, highlighted, "Decentralized NGS solutions are key to improving patient access to targeted therapies." By using kitted approaches that are standardized and accessible, more laboratories can deliver high-quality NGS testing where patients are treated.
Aligned advances in NGS workflows and informatics
Pillar Biosciences’ sequencing panels support streamlined NGS workflows and provide bioinformatics support. This aligns with AstraZeneca’s global initiatives and helps oncologists move from sample to interpretation more efficiently. The result is a tighter, more reliable testing process that can inform effective cancer treatments when time and clarity both matter.
About Pillar Biosciences
Pillar Biosciences advances Decision Medicine™, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to deliver precise cancer diagnostics. The company offers more than 20 NGS testing kits across in vitro diagnostic (IVD) and research-use-only formats. The aim is consistent: optimize therapy selection for cancer patients and support monitoring throughout treatment.
Technologies enabling localized, cost-aware testing
Pillar’s proprietary technologies, SLIMamp® and PiVAT®, are designed to make complex testing more accessible and cost-effective. By enabling localization of NGS workflows, these approaches help clinicians and patients access high-quality solutions more quickly and with fewer logistical hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the core objective of the Pillar Biosciences–AstraZeneca partnership?
The partners are working to expand access to liquid biopsy tumor profiling by making rapid, affordable NGS testing available in local laboratories. The intent is to shorten the time from sample to result and provide oncologists with clear, actionable insights to guide care.
Where is the collaboration focused, and why does that matter?
The effort targets the European markets and the UK, bringing liquid biopsy testing closer to where patients receive care. By supporting local labs in these regions, the partnership aims to increase availability and reduce delays associated with sending samples to centralized facilities.
How do the oncoReveal panels support tumor profiling?
The oncoReveal Core LBx, Essential LBx, and Fusion LBx panels analyze circulating cell-free tumor DNA (cfDNA) and, for fusions, circulating cell-free tumor RNA (cfRNA). Core LBx covers 104 genes, Essential LBx covers 34 genes, and Fusion LBx focuses on fusion forms of 18 driver genes. Together, they enable broad profiling in under three days.
What are the practical benefits for clinical labs?
Labs can batch tests for more than 22 patients in a single Illumina NextSeq™ run, which supports cost-effective operations while maintaining high sensitivity and specificity. Standardized, kitted workflows also help streamline processing and interpretation, improving consistency and turnaround.
How does this help patients and their care teams?
Faster, locally delivered results mean oncologists can make informed decisions sooner. That can reduce waiting time, support timely therapy selection, and keep care moving without the delays that often come with shipping samples to distant testing centers.
