New assays and reagents expand multiplexing capabilities, allowing researchers to analyze more cancer-related mutations and biomarkers in a single reaction.

Bio-Rad Laboratories expanded its precision oncology research portfolio with new droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays, reagents, and technologies for use with the QX700 ddPCR systems. The company says the additions support research in mutation detection, liquid biopsy workflows, tumor-informed assay development, molecular residual disease (MRD), and multiplex biomarker analysis.

The ddPCR assays are for research use only. They are not intended for use in diagnostic procedures, and any clinical use or claims by customers or researchers are subject to in-house validation and applicable local regulations.

New Kits, Dark Probes, and CrystalTag Technology

Bio-Rad launched two assays for the QX700 systems: the QX700 ddPCR EGFR Exon 19 Deletions Screening Kit and the QX700 ddPCR KRAS G12/G13 Screening Kit. The kits are intended to support research involving EGFR and KRAS mutations across multiple solid tumor applications.

The company also introduced Dark Probe Mutation Detection Assays, which are fully compatible across Bio-Rad’s family of QX systems. The assays are designed to replace the wild-type fluorescent probe in existing ddPCR workflows. According to Bio-Rad, quencher-only dark probes suppress wild-type background and free a detection channel, allowing up to four mutation targets to be analyzed in a single well. This increases multiplexing capability and reduces the sample volume needed.

Bio-Rad also said 13 oncology-focused ddPLEX CrystalTag ddPCR Assays and CrystalTag Reporters will be available soon. The CrystalTag technology separates target recognition from signal generation. That design allows flexible assay design and multiplexed detection of up to 21 targets in a single reaction well on the QX700 platform. The upcoming solutions include assays for mutation detection of ESR1, KRAS, and HPV. They are intended for translational research, biomarker discovery, biopharmaceutical research, and multiplex assay development.

“With this expanded menu of QX700 ddPCR assays and technologies, researchers can design more powerful multiplex assays and analyze biomarkers with highly sensitive, absolute quantification, all in scalable, streamlined workflows,” says Steve Kulisch, vice president of product management in the Digital Biology Group at Bio-Rad Laboratories, in a release.

Sessions at Upcoming Meetings

Bio-Rad plans to showcase the portfolio at the Association for Molecular Pathology annual meeting and at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

At the molecular pathology meeting, Bio-Rad will host a corporate workshop on personalized, tumor-informed ddPCR assays for MRD detection and monitoring in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Prithwish Pal, PhD, director of global product marketing for oncology at Bio-Rad, will host. Speakers include:

  • Christopher Hourigan, DM, DPhil, FRCP, of Virginia Tech
  • Laura Dillon, PhD, FACMG, research associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech
  • William A. LaFramboise, PhD, professor and chief genomics technology officer at Allegheny Cancer Institute

Topics include the clinical need for highly sensitive MRD approaches, development of whole-genome sequencing-informed assays, and emerging clinical evidence supporting personalized monitoring strategies. The workshop is scheduled for Nov 11 from 8 to 8:50 am PST in Tahoma 3, Level 3, at Arch at 800 Pike.

At the breast cancer symposium, Bio-Rad will convene a session on using ddPCR technology for ESR1 mutation analysis in research samples. Speakers include:

  • Isaac Garcia-Murillas, senior staff scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research and head of molecular research at the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden Hospital
  • Gary Pestano, PhD, chief scientific officer and head of research and development at Biodesix

The speakers will discuss ddPCR-based workflows, including assay setup, operational efficiency, and reporting practices. The session will also examine analytical sensitivity, turnaround time, workflow simplicity, and cost compared with conventional qPCR and broader genomic profiling approaches in targeted longitudinal research settings. It is scheduled for Dec 10 at 2:30 pm CST in Theater A.

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