Natera partners with Angiex on cancer trial

Natera has entered a collaboration with the biotech firm Angiex to assess its Signatera blood test in an ongoing cancer drug trial. The partnership will evaluate whether the test, which detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), can complement traditional imaging scans in patients receiving Angiex's experimental therapy AGX101.

Angiex, a privately held company founded in 2015 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is running a phase 1 clinical trial for AGX101. The drug is described as a TM4SF1-directed, nuclear-delivered antibody-drug conjugate. It works by binding to the TM4SF1 protein to deliver a cytotoxic payload to both tumor cells and the endothelial cells of tumor blood vessels.

Trial Design and Collaboration Goals

The collaboration will specifically examine if Signatera can provide useful data alongside radiologic assessments. This is particularly relevant for cases where imaging shows metabolic or structural changes, but it remains unclear if viable tumor is still present. The companies stated that Angiex's trial is enrolling patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic solid tumors. Signatera testing is being incorporated into the study to better understand its potential for monitoring treatment response during AGX101 therapy.

Executive Commentary

Paul Jaminet, co-founder and chief executive of Angiex, commented on the deal. He said, "We believe AGX101 has the potential to offer a differentiated therapeutic approach for patients with advanced solid tumors."

Eric Matthews, Natera's general manager for biopharma, also provided a statement. He said, "Signatera provides additional depth into early biologic response assessment that can meaningfully advance our understanding of this novel drug class."

Company Background and Financials

The announcement follows a significant acquisition by Natera in late December 2025. The company acquired Foresight Diagnostics, a Stanford University spinout that develops blood tests for tracking minimal residual disease (MRD). That deal was valued at $450 million.

Natera operates laboratories in Austin, Texas; San Carlos, California; and Boulder, Colorado. The company reported substantial revenue growth for 2025.

Financial terms of the new collaboration with Angiex were not disclosed. The study represents another application for Natera's Signatera test in the competitive field of cancer monitoring and drug development support.