The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Guardant Health have announced a multi-year partnership designed to accelerate comprehensive liquid biopsy technology into the standard of care in cancer treatment. The commercial, research and development agreement will make MD Anderson among the few hospitals in the world with integrated comprehensive liquid biopsy (CLB) capabilities. While standard biopsies are considered an invasive procedure, liquid biopsies allow caregivers to determine cancer's presence through a simple blood draw. Because tumors shed their DNA in the blood, samples may be able to detect specific tumor mutations that may direct therapy. Under the partnership, Guardant Health will help MD Anderson build multiple on-site liquid biopsy centers enabling development of novel non-invasive assays using Guardant Health's Digital Sequencing technology. First-of-their-kind interventional clinical utility studies, designed to demonstrate how CLB can improve patient outcomes across multiple types and stages of cancer, will be jointly funded. The two institutions also will work together on CLB clinical utility studies designed to support incorporation of CLB testing into national guidelines and adoption as a national standard of care.