Thermo Fisher Scientific is partnering with Agios Pharmaceuticals to develop and market a next-generation sequencing (NGS) companion diagnostic for Agios’ ivosidenib (AG-120), a cancer therapy candidate intended for use in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The companion diagnostic will use Thermo Fisher’s Ion PGM Dx system, an advanced NGS-based diagnostic platform. It is intended to identify patients who are positive for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) mutations and who might respond to treatment with ivosidenib, an IDH1 inhibitor currently in a phase 3 clinical trial. Under the terms of the companies’ agreement, Thermo Fisher will retain the rights to commercialize the test and will be responsible for seeking clearance from regulatory agencies. After it is validated, Thermo Fisher will also apply to expand clinical claims for the test, which is currently awaiting approval by the Food and Drug Administration.