PreAnalytiX GmbH, a joint venture between QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company; NYSE: BDX), today announced the launch of the PAXgene® Urine Liquid Biopsy Set, which enables the reliable analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from urine with most molecular testing technologies, including qPCR, digital PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The new set will be commercialized by QIAGEN.

Sysmex Inostics said Tuesday that it has secured New York State Department of Health approval for clinical trial use of the firm's liquid biopsy assay for biomarkers that are relevant for the treatment of multiple cancer types.

Pillar Biosciences, Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca to expand laboratory access to molecular testing, using rapid, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based liquid biopsy tumor profiling panels for detection of genetic cancer variants, with an initial focus on European markets and the UK.

Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced a partnership with the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation IRCCS (“Policlinico Gemelli”) to establish an in-house liquid biopsy testing service as a part of its diagnostics services within its hospital system. Leveraging Guardant Health’s cutting-edge proprietary digital sequencing platform, this initiative will include on-site analysis of Guardant360 ® CDx liquid biopsy tests directly within the Policlinico Gemelli facilities in Rome, Italy.

The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California said earlier this week that cancer testing company Guardant Health has agreed to settle allegations that it knowingly violated the False Claims Act and regulations of the Defense Health Agency.

Roche subsidiary Foundation Medicine said Monday that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its liquid biopsy test, FoundationOne Liquid CDx, as a companion diagnostic to identify advanced BRCA-mutated prostate cancer patients who are eligible for treatment with Janssen's Akeega (niraparib and abiraterone acetate).

Freenome said on Thursday that it raised $254 million in funding from existing and new investors to advance its pipeline of single- and multi-cancer early detection tests.

New research suggests a combination of molecular profiling on tumor tissue and corresponding circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) samples can provide clinically actionable clues that may be missed using either approach alone, particularly for individuals with breast cancer or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

UK-based liquid biopsy firm Angle said Tuesday that it inked an agreement with drug firm Eisai to conduct a pilot study on the use of Angle's HER2 assay to guide treatment of breast cancer patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors.

Liquid biopsy firm SeekIn said Friday that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Oncolnv, a fully-owned affiliate of Inspire2Live to expand the global accessibility of the firm's menu of cancer detection tests.