In a prospective multi-center study of 282 newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer patients, Guardant Health’s (NASDAQ:GH) liquid biopsy genomic assay, Guardant360, outperformed standard-of-care tissue testing in first-line disease.
Shares of Guardant rose $10.97, or 20%, to $66.64 in heavier than normal trading on Feb. 28.
Guardant360 uses a blood sample, or liquid biopsy, to detect genomic biomarkers that are targets for FDA-approved drugs, such as an epidermal growth factor receptor mutation.
Guardant360 identified such biomarkers in 77 patients, whereas tissue testing identified biomarkers in 60 patients. In addition, Guardant360’s time to results was an average nine days, compared with the average 15 days for tissue testing.
Up to 30% of patients can be treated with targeted therapies, which typically have higher response rates than chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
