Tempus AI announced a new AI‑driven HRD‑RNA algorithm that identifies homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) through RNA analysis rather than traditional DNA testing. The 1,660‑gene logistic regression model provides a real‑time snapshot of tumor biology, enabling clinicians to select patients likely to benefit from platinum‑based chemotherapy or PARP inhibitors.
In a real‑world validation study, metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who tested HRD‑RNA positive and received platinum therapy experienced a significantly lower mortality risk compared with those treated with non‑platinum regimens. The study demonstrates the clinical utility of the RNA‑based approach and supports its potential to broaden the patient population eligible for targeted therapies.
The HRD‑RNA tool is currently available for research use, with clinical availability slated for later in 2026. The launch expands Tempus’s precision‑medicine platform and adds a new revenue stream that could strengthen its competitive position in oncology diagnostics, where DNA‑based tests dominate.
Tempus’s broader financial performance underscores the strategic value of the new tool. In 2025, the company reported record revenue of approximately $1.27 billion, an 83 % year‑over‑year increase, and guided $1.59 billion for 2026. The company’s diagnostics and data‑applications segments drove most of the growth, with the data licensing business expanding 38 % year‑over‑year.
Chief Development Officer Halla Nimeiri said, “Our HRD‑RNA algorithm gives physicians a critical tool to better inform treatment decisions. By looking at the transcriptome, we can identify a functional HRD status that is more dynamic than what can be seen in the genome alone.” CEO Eric Lefkofsky highlighted the company’s momentum, noting that 2025 was an exceptional year with diagnostics volume growth accelerating for the third consecutive quarter and data‑applications revenue rising 31 % year‑over‑year.
The RNA‑based approach offers a dynamic assessment of tumor biology that can capture functional HRD status in real time, potentially identifying patients who would otherwise be missed by static DNA‑scar tests. By expanding the detectable patient cohort, the algorithm could accelerate adoption of platinum and PARP‑inhibitor therapies and generate incremental revenue for Tempus.
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