NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – TTFactor — the technology transfer firm of the European Institute of Oncology and the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology — investment firm BioVitas Capital, and the University of Milan today announced two deals to develop genomic biomarkers for lung, breast, and ovarian cancers.
In one agreement, the parties will collaborate with BioVitas-funded startup Gensignia, based in London, to develop microRNA-based signatures for detecting lung, breast, ovarian, and other cancers. The European Institute of Oncology, FIRC, and the University of Milan performed the original research, which is now being validated on a large cohort of patients in a clinical study sponsored by the European Institute of Oncology.
In a second deal, the parties are working with UK firm Tiziana Life Sciences, also a BioVitas-funded firm, to validate a gene signature of breast cancer stem cells. The agreement is aimed at defining better treatment options by genetically profiling patients. Tiziana discovers and develops molecules associated with cancer, with a particular emphasis on metastatic cancers.
Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.