Cell-free DNA and precision medicine company Natera Inc (NASDAQ: NTRA) and Aveta Biomics Inc, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, on Monday announced a strategic partnership to support Aveta's global Phase 3 registrational trial evaluating APG-157 in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Under the agreement, Natera's Signatera molecular residual disease test will be used as a secondary endpoint to assess treatment response and molecular residual disease during neoadjuvant, induction and adjuvant therapy, as well as throughout patient follow-up.

The AVTA 30-01 trial is expected to enrol approximately 826 patients across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia, with enrolment scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. APG-157, Aveta's oral immunotherapy candidate, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for this indication.

This collaboration expands Natera's evidence generation in head and neck cancer following the recent Phase 2 SINERGY trial, which supported the use of Signatera-guided treatment in the disease.