Ultima Genomics and Quest Diagnostics announced a collaboration involving Ultima's next generation sequencing (NGS) technology in oncology and other clinical areas. The collaboration aims to improve patient access, affordability and outcomes by broadening the use of highly accurate, cost-efficient and high-volume whole genome sequencing for fast-growth areas, such as solid-tumor minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. Quest intends to deploy the Ultima technology for the possible development of lab-developed tests involving its Haystack solid-tumor MRD?

technology for future clinical and biopharmaceutical MRD applications, supplementing its current whole exome sequencing approach, as well as for certain future whole genome testing applications, such as rare disease detection in pediatric patients. Ultima recently unveiled its platform technology, a new sequencing architecture that supports sequencing an entire genome for $100. At an event in December 2023, the Company previewed its first commercial system to use this new architecture, the UG 100?

System, to a group of leaders across the genomics field. In addition to lower costs, the technology is also unique for its high sensitivity for detecting rare cancer-related gene variants, particularly changes in DNA base pairs called single nucleotide variants (SNVs). The collaboration will leverage Quest's expertise and scale in oncology, genomics and pathology and national scale in tumor biopsy and blood specimen collection.

Quest provides comprehensive oncology services, spanning genetic risk assessment, cancer diagnostics and treatment monitoring, to marquee health systems and other providers in the United States. The company's approximately 400 AmeriPath pathologists provide tumor biopsy diagnostic services while its 7,000 patient access sites nationwide provide blood draws.