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Stella Diagnostics, Mayo Clinic Collaborating on Barrett's Esophagus Protein Markers

NEW YORK – Stella Diagnostics said on Wednesday that it has entered a collaborative research agreement with the Mayo Clinic to evaluate its test for predicting disease progression in Barrett's esophagus.

The two parties will use targeted mass spectrometry to assess the potential of multiple protein markers for the progression of Barrett's esophagus, including the proteins that compose Stella's STLA101 panel. They will look at the markers in 100-plus Barrett's esophagus patients who either progressed to more severe disease states, including esophageal cancer, or remained stable over a 10-year period.

"Barrett's patients, and subsequently people who develop esophageal cancer from this indication, are an embattled cohort who could benefit from augmented screening techniques," Stella Diagnostics CEO Joe Abdo said in a statement. "I am pleased that the Mayo Clinic acknowledges the value in additional molecular information provided by the STLA101 panel which will aide gastroenterologists in determining the risk of their patients' disease progressing."

Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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