Aveta Biomics tapped Natera’s Signatera ctDNA assay to measure minimal residual disease in a Phase 3 trial of APG-157 for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The study plans to enroll up to 826 patients randomized to APG-157 versus standard of care, with separate cohorts for resectable and unresectable tumors. Aveta said Signatera will be used as a secondary endpoint throughout treatment, aiming to validate earlier Phase 2 ctDNA findings while generating molecular response data for potential regulatory submissions. The drug is an oral lozenge formulation taken three times daily, and APG-157 is intended to function across immune “hot” and “cold” tumor settings. Strategically, the ctDNA endpoint choice reflects the growing preference for molecular response readouts in oncology trials where traditional imaging may lag clinical activity and where MRD can sharpen treatment differentiation.