Adds share move in paragraph 2, analyst comment in bullet 3 & 4

By Sahil Pandey

June 29 (Reuters) - Genetic testing firm Natera NTRA.O and cancer drug developer Aveta Biomics said on Monday they have partnered on a late-stage study of an experimental therapy for head and neck cancer, in a bid to improve how patients' response to treatment is monitored.

Shares of Natera were up about 2% in morning trading.

Here are some details:

• The study will test Aveta's APG-157, an experimental oral therapy designed to help the body fight tumors, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

• Natera said its Signatera test will be used in the study to assess molecular residual disease and treatment response, and will serve as a secondary endpoint.

• "This represents yet another cancer type that is validating Signatera as likely having a material use case in the clinic for patients," Evercore ISI analyst Daniel Markowitz said.

• "We continue to see a growing body of evidence that suggests Signatera is on its way to gaining traction in the large and underpenetrated cancer monitoring market," Markowitz added

• The companies said the test will be used before, during and after treatment to monitor patients' response.

• Aveta Biomics said the study will enroll about 826 patients globally, including in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia.

• It said the study builds on data from a mid-stage trial showing the therapy helped control tumors and showed encouraging survival outcomes.

• The trial is expected to begin enrollment in the second half of 2026, the companies said.