SOPHiA GENETICS, a prominent cloud-native healthcare software company, has joined forces with Syndicate Bio to introduce liquid biopsy technology to Africa. This partnership signifies a major advancement in cancer diagnostics across the continent.
Based in Nigeria, Syndicate Bio will implement the MSK-ACCESS® assay powered by SOPHiA DDM™, making it the first lab in Africa to utilize this cutting-edge technology. By incorporating liquid biopsy testing into their services, Syndicate Bio aims to broaden access to comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer patients throughout Africa.
The collaboration between SOPHiA GENETICS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and Syndicate Bio underscores a shared commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting precision medicine globally.
Given the limited access to advanced diagnostics in Africa, especially with approximately one million new cancer cases annually, Syndicate Bio’s adoption of liquid biopsy technology represents a crucial step forward in providing innovative testing options to previously underserved patients.
Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, Founder of Syndicate Bio, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to accelerate cancer treatment and research across Africa, starting in Nigeria.
The MSK-ACCESS® assay powered by SOPHiA DDM™ offers deep sequencing of 146 cancer-associated genes, enabling Syndicate Bio to generate comprehensive reports from small blood samples efficiently. This non-invasive approach streamlines patient monitoring and promotes the adoption of precision medicine in cancer care.
Philippe Menu, Chief Medical Officer of SOPHiA GENETICS, highlighted the significance of this initiative in advancing global healthcare, noting that Syndicate Bio’s implementation of this solution will have a tangible impact throughout Africa, contributing to the creation of an extensive and comprehensive dataset.
This partnership aligns with SOPHiA GENETICS’ mission to democratize data-driven medicine and extend access to advanced diagnostics to underserved populations. The collaboration with Syndicate Bio represents a significant stride forward in the fight against cancer in Africa.
In late 2023, SOPHiA GENETICS, MSK, and AstraZeneca announced a partnership to expand access to MSK-ACCESS® powered by SOPHiA DDM™ testing globally, including in underserved regions where access to testing remains limited.
