Indian firm Unipath Specialty Laboratory Limited (Unipath) recently launched a homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) gene testing panel using SOPHiA GENETICS technology. The collaboration of Sophia Genetics SA and Unipath will not only advance cancer research in India but also increase access to data-driven treatment options for cancer patients, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

India is taking initiatives to adopt advanced diagnostic tests in clinical practice. GlobalData’s research reveals that the country contributed to around 9% of the Asia-Pacific oncology tests market in 2022.

Dr. Satyajeet Salunkhe, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Due to the increasing incidence of cancer and associated mortality in India, there is a high unmet need for a streamlined approach to treatment by detecting cancer-causing mutations using genetic testing.”

The homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway helps to repair the damaged DNA. Mutations in HRR pathway genes lead to HRD, which is the leading cause of different types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. SOPHiA DDM HRD solution can identify germline and somatic mutations in twenty-eight homologous recombination repair pathway-related genes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2).

In addition to the SOPHiA DDM HRD solution, Unipath will also leverage Sophia Genetics’ exome analysis services to make disease diagnoses more accurate. Further to supporting Sophia Genetics in achieving its goal of making data-driven therapeutics more accessible worldwide, the collaboration will also help Sophia Genetics expand its presence in India.

Dr. Salunkhe concludes: “Such collaborations will help India to develop and leverage advanced genetic testing solutions that will enable rapid, accurate, and detailed disease analysis, helping physicians make better treatment decisions.”