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Aliso Viejo-based Clarient inks licensing deal with biotech firm
Company will commercialize Minerva's cancer biomarker test.
By Kristen SchottPublished: November 29, 2009 09:39 AM
Aliso Viejo-based Clarient has signed an exclusive licensing deal to develop and commercialize Minerva Biotechnologies' cancer biomarker test. The program identifies the MUC1* protein, which may be linked to the spread of a number of different cancers.
It's a positive move for Clarient, which provides technology and services for pathologists, according to company CEO Ron Andrews. He believes the relationship with Massachussetts-based Minerva fits the firm's business plan.
"Our growth model includes collaborating with academia and innovative companies, wherein the value of new biomarkers are defined," he says.
Though MUC1* is early in its evaluation stages, it may be useful in diagnosing different cancers, deciding specific therapies and monitoring the success of treatment in solid tumors, according to Andrews.
"Early research has also demonstrated that MUC1* may play a role in developing resistance to cancer drugs, which means if you can block MUC1*, you may be able to overcome resistance to a drug and, once again, offer that therapy," he says.
The test is expected to take about a year of continued development to study its predictive value of measuring the amount of MUC1* in a patient's sample. There is not currently such a treatment available.
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It's a positive move for Clarient, which provides technology and services for pathologists, according to company CEO Ron Andrews. He believes the relationship with Massachussetts-based Minerva fits the firm's business plan. "Our growth model includes collaborating with academia and innovative companies, wherein the value of new biomarkers are defined," he says. Though MUC1* is early in its evaluation stages, it may be useful in diagnosing different cancers, deciding specific therapies and monitoring the success of treatment in solid tumors, according to Andrews. "Early research has also demonstrated that MUC1* may play a role in developing resistance to cancer drugs, which means if you can block MUC1*, you may be able to overcome resistance to a drug and, once again, offer that therapy," he says. The test is expected to take about a year of continued development to study its predictive value of measuring the amount of MUC1* in a patient's sample. There is not currently such a treatment available. NEXT PAGE >> Related headlines Mission Hospital opens new Patient Care Tower 'OC METRO Minute,' Nov. 18: California ranks No. 23 for health 'OC METRO Minute,' Nov. 17: Mission Hospital Laguna Beach's Advisory Council |
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