Clarient, a GE Healthcare company, and ACORN Research have formed a strategic collaboration around molecular testing of tumor samples. The agreement will establish a standardized testing protocol across the ACORN network of oncology community practices and hospitals with treatment guidelines and clinical trial opportunities. These processes have the potential to improve oncology treatment and research that aim to deliver targeted treatments based on the specific genetic markers for each patient.

The collaboration will establish a system for the collection of a broad array of tumor-specific biomarker data at the time of the patient's initial cancer diagnosis. The collaboration will also enable matching broad biomarker data with outcomes data from clinical trials and clinical practice to help identify new prognostic markers and biomarker-specific treatments.

"We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Clarient, a company which shares our commitment to improving patient outcomes in community oncology, where 85% of all cancer patients are treated," said Lee Schwartzberg, MD, president of ACORN Research. "Our collaboration is a leap forward in bringing the most advanced diagnostics and bioinformatics tools to accelerate the use of personalized medicine in this setting."