Vela Diagnostics Launches First CE-IVD Next-Generation Sequencing Oncology Panel for Melanoma Testing on the Automated Sentosa NGS Workflow

Singapore (September 23, 2014) – Vela Diagnostics announced today the CE-IVD launch of the Sentosa SQ Melanoma Panel for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based gene sequence variant detection and identification. 

“Currently, between two and three million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. Melanoma is the most aggressive form and is responsible for more than 75% of all skin cancer-related deaths. Recently developed therapies allow targeted treatment based on molecular changes, and this test is the first in the market that gives clinicians the opportunity to quickly and easily test a large number of treatment relevant genes for mutations,” said Vela Diagnostics’ CEO Michael Tillmann. 

The Sentosa SQ Melanoma Panel simultaneously detects 127 hot spot mutations and sequence variants with only minimal sample input requirement. Run on the automated Sentosa NGS system solution, DNA extraction, library preparation and comprehensive result reporting are automated. The automated reporting allows for quick DNA sequence variants identification and thus saves time and costs. The easy to interpret format includes automated bioinformatics. The Sentosa workflow also allows for seamless sample tracking and IT connectivity to ease information transfer and sample traceability.

This first NGS panel launched is part of the NGS portfolio, which will be extended by other oncology and virology panels such as for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) or Colorectal Cancer (CRC) cancer sequence variants and HCV genotyping. 

The Sentosa SQ Melanoma Panel is the first NGS-based oncology panel worldwide to be launched for diagnostic use*. With the launch of the Sentosa SQ Melanoma Panel, Vela Diagnostics is the only provider to offer an automated workflow that supports both NGS and PCR tests; currently more than 30 IVD PCR tests are available and 7 NGS panel are planned for launch. Both workflows are flexible to be customized for open-channel capability and can easily be integrated in current laboratory workflows and IT connectivity.

* Product availability is country dependent, not available in the US.

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