
Telo Genomics Announces Launch of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Test in the U.S.
Telo Genomics Corp. has announced the launch of its diagnostic platform, TeloViewSMM, for clinicians in the United States. The technology marries molecular biology and artificial intelligence to conduct a comprehensive 6-factor quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres, the protective end caps of chromosomes. TeloViewSMM has the potential to not only characterize various cancers but also identify their current level of genomic instability, enabling predictions about disease progression.
The initial clinical launch of TeloViewSMM will have a specific focus on testing for “Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM),” a precursor to Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood-based bone marrow cancer. It’s worth noting that approximately 50% of individuals diagnosed with SMM will eventually develop full-blown Multiple Myeloma.
The TeloViewSMM assay will be accessible for physicians to order under the SMART (Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Assessment of Risk for Transformation) protocol. This program serves as an observational study tailored for oncology and hematology physicians and their teams in the United States, offering them an opportunity to gain practical experience in ordering and utilizing the TeloViewSMM assay. This approach aligns with the industry’s positive trend of introducing novel molecular testing tools within an observational construct to efficiently collect valuable information and feedback from clinicians.
Kris Weinberg, CEO of Telo Genomics, expressed his pride in the company’s achievement and the dedication of its team, emphasizing the significant milestone of launching the TeloView platform. The presentations at this year’s International Myeloma Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology meetings received a highly positive response and generated numerous leads for the new assay. The company is actively engaged in discussions with platform partners and developing new tests for various applications.
The initial launch of TeloViewSMM will be carried out under a single-site CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) model. However, Telo Genomics plans to scale up testing delivery in collaboration with major reference labs where resources like FISH and microscopy are available. The company is also working on developing products and use cases for the biopharma and contract research organization (CRO) segment. Their active business development pipeline is specifically directed toward companion diagnostic (CDx) opportunities and contract research.
TeloViewSMM has undergone clinical validation in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, and data supporting this validation were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in 2023. The study presented at ASCO encompassed 178 patients with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). The findings from the study unveiled an impressive accuracy rate of 80% in effectively categorizing SMM patients into their respective risk groups. This superior accuracy was coupled with precision levels exceeding 80% for the identification of high-risk SMM patients and over 75% for pinpointing low-risk SMM patients. Over 200,000 patients in the United States are currently living with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma.