Biocartis, a molecular diagnostics company, Monday announced expansion of its partnership with Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK) in the Middle East and North Africa (MEA) region to improve availability of RAS biomarker testing for colorectal cancer patients. RAS biomarker testing, which is not readily available in all parts of the world, is used to determine whether colorectal cancer is positive for KRAS or NRAS gene mutation thereby helping oncologists to take timely treatment decisions. Biocartis' Idylla KRAS Mutation Test and Idylla NRAS-BRAF Mutation Test rapidly determine the RAS biomarker status in mCRC tumor tissue samples. Biocartis Idylla Platform is easy to use, and can be deployed in any user setting. More than 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer, are reported annually.
