NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Med BioGene has extended its biomarker collaboration with the University Health Network in Toronto.
The deal expands the firm's previous exclusive license and collaboration with UHN, which will provide additional novel gene expression-based markers for its early-stage non-small cell lung cancer test.
Vancouver-based Med BioGene is developing the LungExpress Dx test in collaboration with researchers affiliated with UHN. The gene expression-based assay is intended to predict a NSCLC patient's prognosis for survival and the magnitude of benefit for adjuvant therapy. The firm expects the test to improve the selection of patients beyond current clinical parameters, such as stage and histology, for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Med BioGene noted that data on the newly licensed genomic signature were presented at a recent oncology meeting.
"We now have clinical data demonstrating that the genomic signature incorporated into LungExpress Dx has the potential to increase the cure rate of early-stage lung cancer and save the health care system millions of dollars in costs," Med BioGene CEO Erinn Broshko said in a statement.