Flatiron Health, Exact Sciences Announce Deal to Speed Evidence Generation With MRD Test

Flatiron Health and Exact Sciences have announced a partnership that seeks to use Flatiron’s clinical research platform for rapid data analysis with Oncodetect, the molecular residual disease (MRD) test from Exact Sciences.

The companies announced the deal in a statement February 5, 2025, noting that the first patient had enrolled in a prospective clinical study using the test to monitor cancer recurrence across multiple solid tumor types. The study will involve 1350 patients in community settings, according to the statement.

MRD refers to the presence of tumor-specific DNA in the body. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are shed into the bloodstream by tumors, and their presence may indicate cancer. Exact Sciences’ Oncodetect test identifies somatic genomic alterations in tumor DNA that may enable the detection of ctDNA before, during, and after treatment. Having this information can help clinicians make treatment decisions and monitor for cancer recurrence.

“Our partnership with Exact Sciences leverages Flatiron’s next-generation prospective evidence platform, which we designed to address critical evidence gaps via studies embedded into routine care, with unprecedented speed,” Alex Deyle, general manager, Clinical Research, Flatiron Health, said in the statement. “Our in-house team of experts, experienced site network, fit-for-purpose research operations, and cutting-edge technology that focuses on reducing site burden, has enabled us to run more efficient and representative prospective studies.”

Flatiron and Exact Sciences seek to generate evidence in real-world settings involve diverse patient groups; to do so, they will reach patients in community care settings, where patients are typically historically underrepresented in clinical trials. In their statement, the companies noted, “This is particularly important in the emerging space of MRD, where oncologists continue to explore how these tests can integrate into delivering high-quality, precision cancer care.”

Using a pragmatic study design will also help speed the process, they said.

“Our collaboration with Flatiron Health represents a significant step in advancing cancer diagnostics, with a particular focus on MRD,” Brian Baranick, general manager of Precision Oncology at Exact Sciences, said in the statement. “The partnership will generate robust clinical evidence for the Oncodetect test across multiple solid tumor types, helping improve cancer recurrence monitoring and ensuring our innovations address patient needs for better outcomes.”