First-of-its-kind molecular residual disease test combining structural variants and digital PCR recognized for enabling ultra-sensitive molecular disease detection, with high specificity, in the Healthcare and Diagnostics category
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Foundation Medicine, Inc., a global, patient-focused precision medicine company, today announced that its molecular residual disease (MRD) assay, FoundationOne®MRD,1 has been selected as a winner in The Scientist’s 2026 Top Innovations Contest. Recognized specifically within the Healthcare and Diagnostics category, the honor highlights the most transformative and useful advances in life science techniques and products.
FoundationOne MRD is the first MRD test to combine structural variants and digital PCR, enabling ultra-sensitive MRD detection, with high specificity.2 FoundationOne MRD leverages a differentiated approach designed to deliver highly sensitive and specific MRD detection alongside an accelerated turnaround time for healthcare providers. The personalized tumor fingerprint and initial blood test can be expected within approximately 2 to 3 weeks from the sample receipt, and subsequent blood test results can be anticipated within 1 to 3 days. The test is currently covered by Medicare for recurrence monitoring in patients with stage II – III breast cancer across all subtypes.
“We are deeply honored that independent experts from The Scientist have validated the clinical vision behind FoundationOne MRD,” said Vera Grossmann, interim chief executive officer and chief operating officer at Foundation Medicine. “This award underscores our relentless dedication to precision medicine. By pairing structural variant sequencing with digital PCR, we provide healthcare providers with a tool that delivers speed and specificity, allowing them to intervene earlier and personalize treatment pathways when every day counts.”
Selected from a competitive pool by an independent panel of judges, the winning innovations reflect the most exciting technologies launched between March 2025 and March 2026.
For more information on Foundation Medicine’s suite of diagnostic tools to empower healthcare providers to identify disease recurrence earlier, select the best therapies for patients and monitor treatment response over time, explore the company’s portfolio of tests.
About Foundation Medicine
Foundation Medicine is a global, patient-focused precision medicine company delivering high-quality, transformative diagnostic solutions in cancer and other diseases. We provide tests and solutions to transform care throughout a patient’s experience, from defining a diagnosis to determining the appropriate treatment to ongoing monitoring. We help accelerate the development of new personalized therapies by leveraging our vast knowledge of precision medicine, real world data and AI-powered tools, expanding the information our diagnostic solutions provide to enable improved outcomes for patients. Every day, we are inspired to think differently to transform the lives of people living with cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit us at www.FoundationMedicine.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky.
About FoundationOne®MRD
FoundationOne®MRD is performed by SAGA Diagnostics US, Inc. It is a tissue-informed liquid biopsy assay for the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The test entails whole genome sequencing (WGS) of a patient’s tumor specimen to identify candidate structural variants (SVs). This information is used to generate a customized multiplex digital PCR (dPCR) fingerprint for up to 16 SVs. This patient-specific dPCR assay is then used to detect the present or absence of ctDNA. The assay is a laboratory developed test that was developed, and its performance characteristics determined, by SAGA Diagnostics. FoundationOne MRD has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Foundation Medicine and FoundationOne® are registered trademarks of Foundation Medicine, Inc. SAGA Diagnostics is a registered trademark of SAGA Diagnostics AB.
1 FoundationOne MRD is performed by SAGA Diagnostics US, Inc., and has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.
2 Data on File, Foundation Medicine, Inc., 2026.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Holly Campbell, 480-213-8368
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