Three years into a multi-year research agreement to use SomaLogic’s proteomics technology in its drug-development efforts, Novartis has extended the deal and will take an equity position in the privately held life-sci tools and clinical diagnostics developer.

Neither the value of the extended deal nor the length of the extension has been disclosed.

In a statement today, SomaLogic did say the companies agreed to “enhance and expand” efforts undertaken as part of the collaboration. Under their previous agreement, researchers at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) and SomaLogic joined to build an enhanced version of SomaLogic's SOMAscan™ proteomics assay for NIBR, as well as develop specific SOMAmer® (Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer) protein-binding reagents for multiple preclinical and clinical applications in NIBR’s research and development portfolio.

“Our ongoing relationship with Novartis is a model for how we seek to develop strong scientific collaborations that drive new discoveries and build value for both parties,” SomaLogic CEO Byron Hewett said in a statement.

SOMAmer reagents, which are at the center of SomaLogic’s proteomics platform, are a new class of protein-binding reagents designed to combine the best properties of both monoclonal antibodies and traditional aptamers. They can be applied in many current preclinical and clinical analytical assays, including quantitative high-content screening, targeted panels, flow cytometry, histochemistry, functional assays, and biophysical methods.

No fewer than 1,129 different SOMAmer reagents are incorporated into SomaLogic’s commercially available SOMAscan assay, which is designed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly measure proteins across a range of concentrations in just a few drops of blood or other tissues through binding to individual proteins and nucleic acid-based quantification.

SomaLogic offerings are intended to aid researchers in protein biomarker discovery, diagnostics development, and pharmaceutical discovery and development.

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