Skuldtech and AB Science have discovered a new set of blood markers predictive of a higher survival rate in pancreatic cancer patients.
The companies are also planning to use the new markers for future companion test commercialization associated with masitinib, a molecule developed by AB science to treat pancreatic cancer.
The findings were made during a phase III clinical trial, focused on pancreatic cancer and managed by AB Science using Skuldtech's technological approach in association with the company's proprietary bioinformatics tools and gene profiling studies.
The phase III study was aimed to assess the therapeutic efficiency of a new treatment combining masitinib and gemcitabine.
Using blood drop, Skuldtech and AB Science were able to identify transcriptomic markers, which can distinguish between the different populations treated during the phase III study and select the predictive markers for pancreatic cancer survival in association with masitinib treatment.
Predictive markers found during the phase III clinical trial are jointly owned by AB Science and Skuldtech, for which patents have been filed.
AB Science has also filed masitinib Marketing Authorization Application with regulatory authorities.
Skuldtech CEO Didier Ritter said for the first time new biological markers have been discovered during a phase III clinical trial.
''These markers are both specific to the drug being developed and associated with positive patient response," Ritter added.
"Faced with the "patent cliff" and a challenging economic context, the pharmaceutical industry is seeking new solutions for achieving successful phase III clinical trials, and also new vectors for growth."
