OGT licenses colorectal cancer biomarkers
Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) says that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Inven2, the technology transfer office at Oslo University Hospital (OUS) and University of Oslo, for 12 colorectal cancer tissue biomarkers. OGT hopes to commercialize any resulting test developed using these biomarkers and to sublicense the markers to other parties. The DNA methylation biomarkers were developed in the laboratory of Professor Ragnhild A. Lothe, Department of Cancer Prevention, Norwegian Radium Hospital, which is part of the Oslo University Hospital. OGT reports that it has validated the results obtained in Professor Lothe’s laboratory that show sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90% when using tissue biopsies. Further work investigating the efficacy of these biomarkers in blood and fecal samples is continuing.
Integrated Diagnostics receives financing
Seattle-based Integrated Diagnostics has received a $10 million third tranche of its Series A financing and plans to use the funds to complete clinical development and commercialization of its in vitro proteomic-based diagnostics programs. The funding, the company reveals will assist in further research to advance the its novel class of molecules – protein-catalyzed capture agents (PCCs) – for use in in vivo molecular imaging and therapeutics. The company was founded to build on Dr. Lee Hood’s groundbreaking research in protein blood markers at The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB). In 2009 Integrated Diagnostics became the first commercial enterprise to arise from a partnership that ISB had established with the University of Luxembourg in 2008.
Rubicon Genomics and Agendia BV collaborate
Rubicon Genomics has signed a clinical supply agreement with molecular diagnostics firm Agendia for its TransPLEX® whole genome RNA amplification technology. Agendia will incorporate Rubicon’s TransPLEX kits into the analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) patient samples for use with its Symphony suite of breast cancer diagnostics.
According to the company, FFPE tumor samples are widely used in cancer diagnostics, but they present many challenges for molecular analysis. RNA or DNA extracted from FFPE samples is highly fragmented and often contains only small amounts of usable DNA or RNA, which may be insufficient for analysis. The company’s technologies are designed and validated to overcome these problems and deliver sufficient quantities of nucleic acids to enable accurate and consistent analyses.
Cancer Diagnostics report
Peter Winter, in collaboration with OneMedPlace, is writing and editing a detailed report on the latest developments in cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine that will be available in April. Specific focus will be on the technologies and biomarkers that are being currently developed by companies and organizations. It will also incorporate the finance and business aspects of the sector. If you are involved in these areas and would like to be featured in the report or require further information please contact: personalizedmedicinereport@gmail.com
-Peter Winter
Categories: Blog, cancer, COMPANIES, Diagnostics, feature2, Featured Articles
