Strategic Diagnostics (SDI) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (the Hutchinson Center) have reported that they will collaborate collaborate to discover biomarkers for use in the early detection of a variety of cancers. Initial studies will center on pancreatic cancer
A biomarker is a biological molecule that can be found in body fluids such as blood or in tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may also be used to see how the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. It can also be called a molecular marker or a signature molecule.
SDI will provide the Hutchinson Center with approximately 1,000 antibodies for the collaborative studies from its collection of cancer antigen antibodies. The antibodies, which were designed using SDI’s proprietary Genomic Antibody Technology, will be provided to Paul Lampe, full member and associate program head of the Molecular Diagnostics Program at the Hutchinson Center.
The SDI cancer antigen antibodies will be printed by the Lampe laboratory onto microarray slides and tested against up to 200 characterized patient case samples and controls in a first discovery screening assay.
Upon completion, the Hutchinson Center and SDI plan to jointly publish the biomarker findings of these studies. SDI will have an option for the Hutchinson Center’s commercial rights to any work that is developed during the agreement.