Antech, PetDx Expand Multi-Cancer Detection Test OncoK9 for Dogs

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Press release: PetDx

PetDx – The Liquid Biopsy Company for Pets and Antech Diagnostics have jointly announced that they have entered into an agreement to make OncoK9, the pioneering multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test for dogs, available to all Antech customers across North America.

“Cancer is by far the leading cause of death in dogs and the vast majority of cases are diagnosed after the onset of clinical signs, by which time the cancer is often advanced and the chances of achieving a cure or long-term control are low,” said PetDx founder and CEO Daniel S. Grosu, MD, MBA. “Our relationship with Antech broadens access to this breakthrough innovation and is expected to have a profound impact on dogs, the people who love them, and the veterinarians looking to provide the very best care for their patients.”

OncoK9 is a first-in-class multi-cancer early detection test that enables veterinarians to detect cancer in dogs with a simple blood draw. It employs cutting-edge genomic analysis that leverages next-generation sequencing (NGS) of blood-derived DNA.

“Cancer takes too many dogs far too soon, and early diagnosis and treatment are the best defense against that,” said Cathy Meeks, DVM, DACVIM, vice president, medical operations, Antech Diagnostics. “OncoK9 will be a valuable tool for our customers to use as they both screen for and work to diagnose suspected cancers, likely helping extend the lives of many dogs.”

PetDx recently published the full results of a landmark study designed to validate the test’s performance in PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal from the Public Library of Science.

The CANcer Detection in Dogs (CANDiD) study — the largest clinical validation study in veterinary cancer diagnostics — was performed on blood samples collected prospectively from more than 1,000 client-owned dogs at more than 40 clinical sites on four continents. The study demonstrated that the performance of OncoK9 mirrors that of leading MCED tests for humans. It can detect 30 different types of canine cancer, with sensitivity of 85.4 percent for three of the most aggressive cancers (lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma) and overall sensitivity of 54.7 percent, at a specificity of 98.5 percent (corresponding to a false positive rate of just 1.5 percent).

Since its launch in 2021, OncoK9 has been successfully integrated into routine testing at thousands of leading veterinary practices nationwide as a new preventive care and aid-in-diagnosis tool. Today, blood samples from all over the country are shipped daily to the PetDx central laboratory in San Diego, and results are delivered to ordering veterinarians within 10 business days. The test is available at veterinary clinics across the United States and Canada.