Novomics, a cancer diagnostics company, has patented a genetic prognostic technology for rectal cancer in Korea, the company said on Friday. The technology can screen high-risk rectal cancer patients who are more likely to have recurrences based on the molecular subtypes of their cancer.

In particular, Novomics has expanded the indication range of its prognostic genetic diagnosis technology from gastric cancer to rectal cancer. The patent registered in Korea was also registered with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project clinical trial (NSABP) in the U.S. 

Novomics expects to collaborate in clinical trials to expand into the U.S. and Western countries to improve the treatment atmosphere for gastric cancer, a highly prevalent cancer in Asia, and rectal cancer, a highly prevalent cancer in the West.

"The development of prognostic genetic diagnostic technology for rectal cancer can improve tf patients' quality of life due to unnecessary medical treatment and toxic side effects of cancer drugs," said Novomics CEO Huh Yong-min. "We will develop genetic diagnostic products in line with the changing medical market by comprehensively analyzing genes and various information for each patient to provide optimal treatment methods."

Currently, only the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS), a molecular subtype classification of colon cancer, has been developed, which does not reflect the unique characteristics of rectal cancer.

The recently developed technology aims to reflect the unique biological characteristics of rectal cancer, making it different from the existing colorectal cancer molecular subtype technology.

The patent aims to customize treatment for each patient due to the lack of personalized treatment guidelines for rectal cancer. Additionally, the technology can identify patients with a high recurrence rate and seek ways to improve medical guidelines to initiate personalized treatment.