The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a Breakthrough Device designation for Foundation Medicine’s circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection and molecular monitoring assay, the FoundationOne Tracker.
The ctDNA monitoring assay uses algorithms for identifying patient-specific variants and a personalized assay design that allows for the detection of ctDNA in plasma. The Breakthrough Device designation was granted for the assay’s use in the detection of molecular residual disease (MRD) in early-stage cancer after curative therapy. This molecular detection can help guide further therapy decisions depending on MRD status and an individual’s risk of relapse.
Developed in partnership with Natera, FoundationOne Tracker combines Foundation Medicine’s tissue-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) platform with Natera’s expertise in personalized ctDNA monitoring. The companies launched the research use only version of FoundationOne Tracker in June 2021, collaborating to support biopharma and academic partners with clinical trial and companion diagnostic planning.
In addition to the indications granted through the Breakthrough Device designation, FoundationOne Tracker’s personalized technology aims to address ctDNA detection and molecular monitoring in patients with both early- and advanced-stage cancers, including assessment of a patient’s response to therapy, as well as MRD detection, surveillance, and detection of molecular residual relapse following curative intent therapy.
“Foundation Medicine continues to shape the future of clinical care and research by helping oncologists and our industry partners find the answers they need to bring precision cancer care to patients,” says Brian Alexander, MD, MPH, chief executive officer at Foundation Medicine. “Personalized molecular disease monitoring enables early detection of ctDNA and can monitor for risk of relapse and track therapy response to help oncologists make personalized treatment plans for their patients. We are enthusiastic about our work to accelerate development of this assay so that it can more quickly impact care decisions in the clinic.”
The FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program is a voluntary program for certain medical devices and device-led combination products that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions.
