Rules-Based Medicine, with its subsidiary Psynova Neurotech, said this week it has achieved a milestone in a companion diagnostic development program with Roche.
Using its DiscoveryMAP protein biomarker discovery platform as well as Psynova's biomarker database, the company identified a biomarker pattern useful in monitoring disease progression and predicting and monitoring the efficacy of a compound in Roche's central nervous system drug pipeline.
Based on the results, Roche has exercised its option to continue commercial development, which could result in additional future milestone and royalty payments to RBM and Psynova.
RBM was acquired last month by Myriad Genetics for $80 million (PM 04/28/2010). Upon announcing the purchase, Myriad director of investor relations and corporate communications Rebecca Chambers cited RBM's biomarker discovery services as a key asset, noting that, among other things, it establishes valuable relationships with pharmaceutical companies that use the platform for companion diagnostic discovery.