MRM Proteomics and Biodesix Partner to Advance Blood-Based Proteomic Precision Diagnostics for Lung Cancer
VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that MRM Proteomics, a leader in proteomics, and Biodesix, a molecular diagnostics company, recently signed a collaboration agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, MRM Proteomics will grant Biodesix the right to use its proprietary iMALDI technology to further advance its blood-based lung cancer diagnostics.
Prior to this, Biodesix’s test menu included the GeneStrat® genomic test, designed to measure actionable mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as VeriStrat®, a proteomic test for lung cancer intended to provide objective prognostic information independent of treatment choices, including immunotherapy.
Both tests are part of the Biodesix Lung Reflex test suite, with a turnaround time of 72 hours, and are used to support treatment decisions. A study last year demonstrated the prognostic value of VeriStrat for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which also incorporated the BDX-XL2 technology—a new capability acquired by Biodesix through its acquisition of BDX-XL2 last year. BDX-XL2 is a blood-based assay designed to identify low-to-moderate risk patients who may have benign pulmonary nodules by combining plasma protein biomarkers with clinical risk factors associated with lung cancer.
Lung cancer is a malignant lung tumor caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in lung tissue. If left untreated, tumor cells can metastasize to adjacent tissues or other parts of the body. Lung cancer is also a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. There is currently an urgent need in the medical community for precise diagnostic tools, as early diagnosis of cancer can improve overall survival rates and reduce anxiety and unnecessary medical procedures for individuals not at risk of developing the disease.
“Improving the accuracy of proteomics in revealing the complexity of cancer is crucial for physicians to provide timely and appropriate treatment to patients. MRM Proteomics is not only a leader in the field of proteomics but also drives our development of this technology,” said Scott Hutton, Chief Operating Officer of Biodesix.
The iMALDI technology platform, licensed by MRM Proteomics to Biodesix, is designed to enable rapid, robust, and highly automated quantification of proteins in complex samples. This platform requires the use of stable isotope-labeled standard peptides matched to the targets, which are spiked into biological samples prior to protein digestion. Subsequently, both endogenous peptides and stable isotope standard (SIS) peptides are co-captured on antibody-conjugated magnetic beads. Finally, the peptides eluted from the antibodies are analyzed by MALDI-MS, thereby completing the entire workflow.
“We use advanced targeted therapies to analyze patients’ genomic data. However, proteins remain the targets for most drugs and are key to unlocking the promise of precision medicine,” said Christoph Borchers, Safety Director of MRM Proteomics. “Biodesix is a natural partner for our proteomics technology team. They are committed to employing multi-omics approaches to reveal a more comprehensive molecular profile of lung cancer in the human body. We believe this collaboration will lead to breakthrough advances in the field of proteomics and the development of more precise diagnostic tools for lung cancer to help guide treatment decisions.”
MRM Proteomics is a global leader in proteomics technology. The company offers a range of proteomics-related technical services, and its product portfolio includes a series of user-friendly proteomics kits.
Biodesix is a molecular diagnostics company dedicated to developing innovative products for personalized medicine, providing physicians with more precise early disease diagnostic tests to support disease monitoring and treatment guidance.
Biodesix is also the first company to offer three diagnostic technologies and multiple pipeline testing tools for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, Biodesix has repeatedly collaborated with world-leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop precision diagnostic technologies.
(Compiled by Ning Chen)