Foundation Medicine to Expand Monitoring Portfolio with SAGA Diagnostics' MRD Platform

Pathlight, a tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) test, will strengthen Foundation Medicine's diagnostic offerings.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:03am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a DNA double helix structure, glowing with an ethereal blue light against a dark background, conceptually representing the advanced genomic analysis capabilities of the Pathlight MRD platform.The advanced genomic analysis of the Pathlight MRD platform provides an ultra-sensitive tool for early cancer detection and monitoring.Boston Today

Foundation Medicine, a global precision medicine company, announced it will expand its monitoring portfolio by acquiring SAGA Diagnostics' Pathlight MRD platform. Pathlight uses a combination of whole genome sequencing and digital PCR to detect structural variants, enabling ultra-sensitive MRD detection. The acquisition will allow Foundation Medicine to offer a clinically available MRD test and further strengthen its comprehensive diagnostic solutions.

Why it matters

The acquisition of SAGA's Pathlight MRD platform will bolster Foundation Medicine's capabilities in cancer monitoring and recurrence detection. MRD testing is a rapidly growing area in diagnostics, and Pathlight's unique technology provides an ultra-sensitive offering that can improve patient outcomes by detecting cancer earlier when it is most treatable.

The details

Pathlight uses a proprietary combination of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and digital PCR to identify and track structural variants, enabling ultra-sensitive MRD detection. Pathlight is currently covered by Medicare for cancer recurrence monitoring in early-stage breast cancer and is available for patients in the United States. Foundation Medicine plans to leverage Roche's AXELIOS sequencing platform and Digital LightCycler PCR platform to develop a decentralized MRD solution to expand patient access worldwide.

  • The transaction between Roche and SAGA Diagnostics is expected to close in Q3 2026, at the latest.
  • Pathlight is currently available for patients within the United States.

The players

Foundation Medicine, Inc.

A global, patient-focused precision medicine company and an independent affiliate of Roche.

SAGA Diagnostics

A company that developed the Pathlight MRD platform, a proprietary combination of whole genome sequencing and digital PCR to identify and track structural variants for ultra-sensitive MRD detection.

Roche

A global healthcare company that is acquiring SAGA Diagnostics in a definitive merger agreement.

Dan Malarek

The CEO of Foundation Medicine.

Roopom Banerjee

The Executive Chairman of SAGA Diagnostics.

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What they’re saying

“Pathlight strengthens our comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic solutions and reinforces our commitment to transforming cancer care throughout a patient's experience.”

— Dan Malarek, CEO of Foundation Medicine

“Our mission at SAGA is to intercept cancer early when patients are most treatable and curable. Foundation Medicine's commercial scale and innovation accelerates our ability to bring this unique MRD platform to more patients worldwide.”

— Roopom Banerjee, Executive Chairman of SAGA

What’s next

Following the closing of the transaction, the Pathlight MRD platform will be fully integrated into Foundation Medicine's portfolio of diagnostic solutions.

The takeaway

The acquisition of SAGA's Pathlight MRD platform strengthens Foundation Medicine's capabilities in cancer monitoring and recurrence detection, providing an ultra-sensitive offering that can help improve patient outcomes by detecting cancer earlier when it is most treatable.