Mainz Biomed, a molecular genetics diagnostic company specialising in the early detection of cancer has entered into a technology rights agreement with Socpra Sciences Santé Et Humaines S.E.C.
The agreement will give Mainz access to a portfolio of novel mRNA biomarkers for potential future integration into ColoAlert, the Mainz Biomed’s detection test for colorectal cancer (CRC).
Mainz will have the option to license the exclusive global rights to five gene expression biomarkers that have demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness in detecting CRC lesions including advanced adenomas AA, a type of pre-cancerous polyp often attributed to this deadly disease.
In a study evaluating these biomarkers published in the online peer-review journal platform MDPI, study results achieved overall sensitivities of 75 per cent for AA and 95 per cent for CRC, respectively, for a 96 per cent specificity outcome.
Guido Baechler, chief executive officer of Mainz Biomed said if these statistical results are duplicated when the biomarkers are integrated into ColoAlert, it will ultimately position Mainz’s CRC test to be the most robust and accurate at-home diagnostic screening test on the market.
It will not only detect cancerous polyps with a high degree of accuracy but has the potential to prevent CRC through early detection of precancerous adenomas.
Baechler said: “Securing the exclusive rights to license this family of novel biomarkers is a fantastic milestone for the company as it provides an extraordinary opportunity to potentially upgrade ColoAlert’s technical profile, possibly making it the most effective at-home screening test for CRC that has ever been commercialized.
“The Mainz team is on a mission to develop gold standard molecular diagnostic screening solutions for cancer indications and obtaining the rights to these biomarkers is a testament to our ongoing commitment to developing cutting-edge products as they have shown superior sensitivity to even liquid biopsy products in development in terms of identifying advanced adenomas.”
Mainz is currently marketing ColoAlert in Europe through its business model of partnering with third-party laboratories for test kit processing versus the traditional methodology of operating a single facility.
It is also preparing to initiate ColoAlert’s regulatory pathway for approval in the United States.
Mainz will now commence a clinical study in Europe to evaluate the effectiveness of these biomarkers to enhance ColoAlert’s utility in terms of extending its capability to include the identification of advanced adenomas while increasing rates of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
