Partnership aims to develop tests that measure signaling and repair proteins in tumor biopsy samples.

Proteome Sciences is teaming up with Moffitt Cancer Center to develop clinical mass spectrometry-based assays for evaluating signaling and repair pathway proteins in tumor biopsies. The ultimate aim is to develop assays that will support personalized cancer management and therapy.

“We believe that knowledge of the molecular switches operating within each individual tumor will allow better selection and monitoring of treatment efficacy,” remarks John Koomen, Ph.D., principal investigator for the collaboration at Moffitt. “With this technical collaboration and support from Proteome Sciences we can extend the group’s activities to incorporate a large number of key proteins and post-translational modifications to rapidly translate laboratory tests into the direct management of cancer patients.”

Applied proteomics firm Proteome Sciences is focused on the identification of biomarkers and development of biomarker assays. The firm’s strategy is to validate biomarkers discovered in body fluids or tissues and commercialize resulting assays as diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic products through strategic alliances and out-licensing.

Proteome’s expertise is being leveraged externally through its PS Biomarker Services™ operation, which provides biomarker outsourcing services including custom tagging, assay development, and proteomics workflows to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics industries.

In addition to generic proteomic technologies, the firm has established a range of proprietary techniques in chemical mass tagging, centred on its Tandem Mass Tag (TMT®) product range for the gel-free identification and relative quantitation of cellular and body fluid proteins. Ongoing biomarker service agreements are in place with partners including Janssen, Eisai, and Takeda.

In June Proteome announced its participation in a new EU-funded research program, Denamic, which aims to develop tools and methods for monitoring the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants on cognitive skills and disorders such as ADHD, autism, and anxiety in children. Proteome Sciences will receive €530,000 in funding from the EU to investigate the effects of neurotoxic chemicals on proteins, peptides, and biochemical pathways in cell models and tissues to generate a database of protein biomarkers associated with chemical exposure.

Previous articleBMS Pays Innate Pharma $35M Up Front for Global Rights to Clinical-Stage Cancer mAb
Next articleZafgen Raises $33M to Progress Anti-Obesity Candidate into Phase II Development