Natera, Aveta partner on late-stage head and neck cancer trial (updated)

Natera

29/06/2026 15:03

Adds share move in paragraph 2, analyst comment in bullet 3 & 4
By Sahil  Pandey
June 29 (Reuters) - Genetic testing firm Natera NTRA.O and cancer drug developer Aveta Biomics said on Monday they have partnered on a late-stage study of an experimental therapy for head and neck cancer, in a bid to improve how patients' response to treatment is monitored.
Shares of Natera were up about 2% in morning trading.

Here are some details: 
The study will test Aveta's APG-157, an experimental oral therapy designed to help the body fight tumors, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Natera said its Signatera test will be used in the study to assess molecular residual disease and treatment response, and will serve as a secondary endpoint.
"This represents yet another cancer type that is validating Signatera as likely having a material use case in the clinic for patients," Evercore ISI analyst Daniel Markowitz said.
"We continue to see a growing body of evidence that suggests Signatera is on its way to gaining traction in the large and underpenetrated cancer monitoring market," Markowitz added
The companies said the test will be used before, during and after treatment to monitor patients' response.
Aveta Biomics said the study will enroll about 826 patients globally, including in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia.
It said the study builds on data from a mid-stage trial showing the therapy helped control tumors and showed encouraging survival outcomes.
The trial is expected to begin enrollment in the second half of 2026, the companies said.

 (Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
 ((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com;))