Serametrix Corporation, a personalized medicine company, today announced their partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd. (LICR). The agreement will combine LICR’s historic discoveries in tumor immunology with the technologies and commercial capabilities of Serametrix. This new alliance will enable rapid development and commercialization of tests that predict and monitor drug response in cancer patients. The serum-based tests, which determine immune reaction to tumor antigens, are of value to clinicians and drug developers alike.
The LICR holds the world’s foremost portfolio of tumor antigen patents and their flagship antigen, NY-ESO-1, licensed to Serametrix as part of this agreement, has already shown promise as a predictor of drug response. It was also announced that Serametrix will add to its current array-based services by launching a serum profiling service dedicated solely to NY-ESO-1 antibody detection. This test will have immediate application in the clinical development of novel cancer therapies.
As part of the deal LICR will take an equity stake in Serametrix. In another significant move, Director of LICR’s New York Branch, Dr. Lloyd Old, was appointed Chairman of the Serametrix Scientific Advisory Board. In a statement, Dr. Lloyd Old said, “Immunological monitoring has a vital role to play in cancer therapy. Tumor antigens have already proved valuable as drug targets and this new agreement will ensure they are also exploited as biomarkers for predicting drug response.”
Dr. Henry Hepburne-Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Serametrix, added: “Serametrix is pleased to build upon its relationship with the LICR, whose leadership position in tumor immunology is beyond question. This alliance of world-class research with commercial enterprise represents a significant step towards more targeted cancer treatments.”
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