Cancer intelligence company C2i Genomics and Twist Bioscience Corporation, which offers high-quality synthetic DNA, will partner for the development of whole-genome cancer reference materials. This resource aims to provide diagnostic labs around the globe with the ability to better validate and monitor the quality of their whole-genome cancer screening and minimal residual disease (MRD) products. In addition, C2i will integrate Twist’s library preparation into their MRD workflow.

Under the collaboration, C2i will use its artificial intelligence to identify a very large set of variants across the entire genome known to be associated with cancer signatures. Twist will then synthesize each of these variants, tuning them up or down to allow for similarity to natural samples, to create a whole-genome sequencing-focused set of reference materials. The reference standard kits will be available through Twist Bioscience. 

“There is a tremendous need to have a consistent reference standard for the detection of cancer and minimal residual disease,” says Emily M. Leproust, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. “We expect that the development of this exceptionally robust set of reference standards for whole-genome sequencing will complement our cfDNA Pan-Cancer Reference Standards, which can be used in liquid biopsy assays. We believe both of these products will enable our customers to create innovative solutions that accurately detect cancer initially and upon recurrence. C2i’s approach through AI and WGS has the potential to truly change the treatment paradigm.”  

The reference standards will also be used as training samples, tuning C2is algorithm for patient sample analysis. Using whole-genome sequencing and machine learning, C2i has developed a way to have AI enable highly precise cancer detection in even the tiniest tumors. The development of this strategic collaboration demonstrates C2i’s investment in furthering the utility and accessibility to whole-genome cancer diagnostics in labs all over the world. 

“C2i is committed to increasing the accessibility of whole-genome cancer detection and monitoring to support researchers and clinicians in improving oncology care for patients,” says Asaf Zviran, CEO and Co-Founder at C2i Genomics. “We’re proud to work closely with Twist, as these new reference kits will solve an urgent unmet need for lab validation and proficiency testing materials in the cancer diagnosis space.”

For more information on the deployment of the C2-Intelligence Platform, please visit www.c2i-genomics.com.

Photo: C2i Genomics