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Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News | GENengnews.com | OCTOBER 1, 2016 | 19 treatment was likely unsuccessful. Using indi- vidual KRAS mutation assays, we were able to identify the M3K patient sample as KRAS G13D (Figure 3B). Conclusion Using Droplet Digital PCR, actionable mutations present at frequencies as low as 0.2% can be quantified in cfDNA patient samples using a simple, fast, and economical workflow that is easily implemented in diag- nostic laboratories. By multiplexing, several known cancer driver mutations can be as- sayed in a single reaction. In addition to the ddPCR KRAS G12/ G13 Screening Kit used in this study, Bio- Rad provides kits that enable screening for common NRAS and BRAF mutations and for KRAS Q61 mutations. When necessary, a tumor can be more specifically genotyped by using individual assays that can be designed in-house or purchased from Bio-Rad. Droplet Digital PCR is equally impactful for cancers that have a large number of driv- er mutations. In these cases the more global view afforded by whole-genome NGS can be utilized to identify patient-specific muta- tions and targeted, more economical Droplet Digital PCR can be used to track these bio- markers throughout treatment. VIAFLO II ASSIST www.integra-biosciences.com EVOLVE VOYAGER II Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette Motorized tip spacing enables parallel transfers of multiple samples between labware of diff erent sizes and formats. The tip spacing can be changed by the simple push of a button, no manual adjustments or two handed operations are needed. VIAFLO 96 I 384 ARE YOU PIPETTING SAMPLES BETWEEN DIFFERENT LABWARE FORMATS? Visit us at ASHG 2016 Booth #212, October 18 - 22 Vancouver DRUG DISCOVERY Assay Tutorial > BARDA to Support Takeda's BARDA to Support Takeda's Zika Vaccine Work Takeda Pharmaceutical will receive up to $312 million from the Biomedi- cal Advanced Research and Develop- ment Authority (BARDA) toward de- veloping a Zika virus vaccine. Takeda will receive $19.8 million in initial funding to cover the vaccine develop- ment through Phase I, with potential funding of up to $312 million if BAR- DA exercises all options to take the vaccine through Phase III trials and a BLA filing with the FDA. Under its agreement with BARDA, Takeda will develop an inactivated, adjuvanted, whole Zika virus vaccine, which will be manufactured at Take- da's facilities in Hikari, Japan. Takeda said it also is in talks with BARDA and the Cabinet Secretariat of the Prime Minister Office regarding potential participation of Japanese health agencies in the Zika collaboration. > Amgen Buys Rights to a Myeloma Immunotherapy from Boehringer Amgen acquired global develop- ment and commercialization rights from Boehringer Ingelheim for its Phase I bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE®) BI 836909 (AMG 420), an immuno-oncolo- gy drug for multiple myeloma. The drug is designed to work by targeting B-cell maturation antigen, a potential target for multiple myeloma. The candidate was originally licensed to BI by Microm- et, which was acquired by Amgen. > AstraZeneca, U.K. Charities AstraZeneca, U.K. Charities Partner on Drugs for Partner on Drugs for Respiratory Diseases Respiratory Diseases AstraZeneca is collaborating with three U.K. charities—MRC Technol- ogy, Asthma UK, and the British Lung Foundation—to develop epigenetic drug treatments for respiratory diseas- es. To date, epigenetic therapies have been researched mostly in connec- tion with cancer. But such therapies, say the partners, also have potential against respiratory diseases. The partners have created a web page calling for researchers inter- ested in studying potential respira- tory epigenetic targets through the collaboration: "We're looking for epigenetics targets or mechanisms associated with respiratory disease including COPD, asthma and exacer- bated asthma through infections, or immunomodulation and inflamma- tion, e.g., those determining T-cell or macrophage phenotypes." n News Discovery & Development