THU AM News: Exact Sciences releases data showing effectiveness of cancer test; UW studies will focus on psilocybin drug candidate

January 23, 2025

— Exact Sciences is touting new results for its Oncodetect cancer test, which demonstrate its “strong performance” in detecting disease and predicting recurrence.

That’s according to Brian Baranick, general manager of precision oncology at the Madison-based diagnostics company.

“We’re thrilled to bring our MRD solution to the rapidly growing molecular residual disease market, helping more patients get access to critical, high-quality testing,” Baranick said in a statement.

Molecular residual disease describes tumor DNA leftover following cancer treatment, an overview from the company shows. This ctDNA, or circulating tumor DNA, can indicate the presence of cancer in the body. The Oncodetect test aims to identify changes in DNA taken from a patient’s tumor, informing cancer therapy decisions and monitoring potential cancer recurrence.

Exact Sciences says 3 million people in the United States could benefit from MRD testing, based on an internal estimate of the addressable patient population. Oncodetect is set to launch in the second quarter of this year.

Yesterday’s release shows the Alpha-CORRECT study found the Oncodetect study had 78% sensitivity post-surgery and 91% sensitivity during the surveillance monitoring period. These findings indicate the test can successfully identify residual disease, the company says.

Full findings from that study of patients with colon cancer will be published later this week, according to the release.

Meanwhile, Exact Sciences is also touting results from the Beta-CORRECT study, which show a “significant association” between positive test results and recurrence for patients with stage III colon cancer. The company notes these findings also “extend Oncodetect’s prognostic value” to patients with stages II and IV colon cancer and rectal cancer.

Dr. Takayuki Yoshino, deputy director at the National Cancer Center Hospital East in Japan, says Exact Sciences’ test “represents an exciting development” in the field of cancer monitoring.

“There is a critical need to better understand and monitor for residual cancer following surgery … I am pleased to partner with Exact Sciences, encouraged by the emerging data from the Beta-CORRECT study, and look forward to sharing further insights in the coming months,” Yoshino said in a statement.

See the release.

— UW-Madison researchers will be studying the effects of the psychoactive chemical psilocybin in two clinical trials using a drug candidate from Filament Health Corporation.

This Canadian psychedelic drug development company recently announced it has shipped its PEX010 drug candidate to UW-Madison, for use in clinical trials slated to begin early this year. The chemical being studied, psilocybin, occurs in so-called “magic mushrooms” and is responsible for their hallucinogenic effects.

The university’s study will explore psilocybin’s influence on neuroplasticity, a measure of the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections. Dr. Charles Raison, principal investigator for the trials and a professor at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, says a broader goal is to understand how this effect “may impact participants’ wellbeing and their ability to understand the world around them.”

One trial, under the ENHANCE study, will dose 100 healthy volunteers to evaluate strategies to “enhance” neuroplasticity from psychedelics and other factors.

The other, called the RECAP2 study, will focus on the idea that neuroplastic effects from psychedelics “underlie their long-term effects on wellbeing,” the release shows. The second study will include 60 physically healthy volunteers with “slight decline” in wellbeing.

Benjamin Lightburn, CEO and co-founder of Filament Health, notes UW-Madison is an internationally recognized leader in psychiatric research.

“We are proud that Dr. Raison and his team have selected Filament’s drug candidate for clinical trials of this calibre and we’re pleased to support their important research,” he said in a statement.

See the release.

— The State of Wisconsin Investment Board says it expects a positive annuity adjustment for retirees this spring and stable employer and employee contributions this year after continued strong performances by the Core and Variable funds.

SWIB announced late yesterday the Core Fund, the larger of the two Wisconsin Retirement System funds with more than $128 billion in assets, had a preliminary one-year net return of 8.5%. The preliminary five-year net return was 7.2%, continuing to exceed its target return of 6.8%.

The Variable Fund, an optional stock-only fund with more than $11 billion in assets, had a preliminary one-year return of 18.7%. The preliminary five-year return was 10.9%.

The Department of Employee Trust funds will soon provide estimates on annuity adjustments with final numbers slated to be released in March. The contribution rates for public employees and employees will be set in June.

The WRS provides pensions for more than 678,000 current and former employees of state agencies, the UW System, school districts and most local governments.

— The Dairy Business Association says it wants to “ensure regulatory fairness” and protect the industry from workforce disruptions in the state’s 2025-2026 legislative session.

The group recently released its policy and budget priorities for this year and the next, which DBA Director of Government Affairs Chad Zuleger says “will help keep dairy moving forward.”

“DBA collaborates with farmer members and agricultural partners to promote sensible policies and common-sense regulations that will enhance the overall success of the dairy industry in our state,” he said in a statement.

The first priority listed focuses on safeguarding the dairy sector from disruptions that could hinder its growth, by bolstering Wisconsin’s skilled workforce and offering educational pathways for the industry. It also notes the importance of encouraging “essential” research initiatives.

DBA is also putting a focus on policies that “encourage regulatory consistency and fairness” while driving rural community growth, also referencing infrastructure investment and agricultural initiatives.

“Ensuring farmers have policymakers’ support to invest in new technologies and initiatives is necessary for industry advancement,” the group wrote.

Meanwhile, other policy priorities center on building “lasting” ag transportation infrastructure as well as supporting clean water initiatives. The group backs efforts around nitrates in groundwater and water quality improvement programs, and says it will “strive for balance” between protecting the environment and the economic interests of dairy farmers.

See more in the release.

— The Port of Green Bay is seeking information from developers interested in project opportunities at the former Pulliam Plant site, which Brown County acquired in 2022.

The port aims to build a new multi-use terminal facility on the 37.5-acre site located at the mouth of the Fox River, according to the project background. The parcel is currently zoned for general industrial use, and could be divided up into several parts “to maximize available funding” and create development opportunities for multiple users.

“We’re excited to see what’s out there with regards to creating economic development and family-supporting jobs,” Port Director Dean Haen said in a statement.

See more at the county’s open projects website and see the release.

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