Biocartis closed a deal with Merck KGaA (Merck) for the development and commercialization of a new liquid biopsy RAS biomarker test for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A patients’ individual biomarker status allows to quickly make a decision on which treatment should be used.

The test will be used on Idylla™, a fully automated sample-to-result PCR-based molecular diagnostics system. The Idylla™ RAS test will be able to detect an extended panel of RAS mutations, in addition to a BRAF V600 mutation.

Biocartis and Merck plan to introduce the Idylla™ liquid biopsy RAS test in numerous medical centers across the world, excluding the U.S., China and Japan. At first, the test will be available for Research Use Only (RUO), but will be submitted to obtain a CE Mark shortly thereafter.