Biomarker Commons

Adaptive Biotechnologies recently announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for the discovery of immunological biomarkers in oncology.

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers Ltd (OCB), the UK-based company developing tests that allow medicines to be personalised for the benefit of the cancer patient, recently announced an agreement with AstraZeneca for biomarker discovery, with the potential for further collaboration on validation and development of resulting biomarkers.

OCB will work with an undisclosed AstraZeneca cancer drug to discover biomarkers that have the potential to predict responders and non-responders to the drug. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca has been granted an option to license biomarkers from the programme.

Metabolon, the pioneering leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, recently announced expanded capabilities in its extensive biochemical profiling technology. The new TrueVision™ offering combines Metabolon’s powerful biochemical profiling discovery platform with complex lipid profiling. With this expansion, Metabolon can survey biological samples for over 4000 known metabolites contained in its chemical library and provide a more complete picture of lipid metabolism.

Recently, Firefly BioWorks announced the expansion of its microRNA assay, FirePlex® miRSelect, from a maximum of 23 multiplexed microRNAs to 68.

Venaxis, Inc. (Nasdaq: APPY), an in vitro diagnostic company focused on obtaining FDA clearance and commercializing its CE Marked APPY1 Test, a rapid, protein biomarker-based assay for appendicitis, recently announced the appointment of Stephen A. Williams , M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at SomaLogic, to the Company's Board of Directors. Dr. Williams brings his experience in diagnostic imaging and biomarker discovery to the Venaxis Board.