Detoxicare, AstraZeneca collaborate on groundbreaking breast cancer testing

MANILA, Philippines —  Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, a subsidiary of Detoxicare Philippines Inc., recently inked a partnership deal with global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to spearhead next-generation sequencing for breast cancer, marking a significant step forward in the fight against the disease.

“Detoxicare’s commitment to making advanced diagnostics affordable and within reach has been a driving force in reshaping the landscape of healthcare accessibility,” said Dr. Gjay Ordinal, president of Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics.  “By combining the pharmaceutical expertise of AstraZeneca with Detoxicare’s proficiency in molecular diagnostics, we are poised to usher in a new era of personalized medicine.”

Integrating advanced technologies into clinical practice will be instrumental in personalizing treatment approaches, optimizing therapeutic efficacy, and ultimately improving patient survival and quality of life, especially in the Philippines where breast and ovarian cancer are two of the most prevalent types afflicting Filipinos, with breast cancer leading the incidence rate at 17.6 percent . In the field of oncology, biomarker testing plays a pivotal role in identifying specific molecular characteristics of tumors and guiding treatment decisions.

When combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS), medical experts gain comprehensive insights into the genetic mutations and alterations driving cancer progression, allowing for tailored treatments with unprecedented precision. This approach not only enhances treatment efficacy but also minimizes unnecessary toxicity and side effects, leading to better patient outcomes. While the partnership highlights its impact on breast cancer, the process can also be applied to other types of cancers as well.

“We are redefining oncology in AstraZeneca, where we aspire for a future where cancer cure is possible through our life-changing medicines, alongside partnerships and ecosystem solutions that allow early detection, diagnosis, and equitable cancer care for patients,” said Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca country head.

“We are grateful to Detoxicare for this collaboration that enables better access to innovative and holistic approaches that will truly deliver impactful benefits for the cancer community.”

Detoxicare also offers a wide variety of testing services for various cancers including pan lung cancer, a single test which detects 11 actionable genes for lung cancer, and KRAS/NRAS for colorectal cancer. Other offerings include tests for respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and pneumonia; infectious diseases such as meningitis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases; and clinical pathology, which covers diabetes testing, lipid profiling, and hepatitis, among others.