Asuragen,
Inc., a leading molecular diagnostic company, has been selected to
work with the Early Diagnosis Consortium (EDC), a collaboration between
Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research Technology, and Abcodia. The
Consortium aims to discover and validate serum biomarkers that may be
used in screening and early detection of cancer.
Asuragen will use its proprietary small RNA sequencing workflow and
bioinformatics pipeline that has been optimized specifically for
identification of miRNA, isomiRs, and other similarly sized small ncRNA
candidate biomarkers from biofluid samples. This work will support EDC’s
discovery of circulating miRNA biomarkers that could lead to
diagnostics for early detection of malignancies across colorectal, lung,
esophageal, and pancreatic cancers.
“The promise of detecting cancer in its earliest phases with innovative
diagnostic tests is very exciting,” said Matt McManus, President and CEO
of Asuragen. “Our ability to take products from the research bench to
the market, coupled with our unique capabilities around miRNAs,
positions us to support the discovery and development of such innovative
diagnostic tests and, ultimately, their global commercialization.”
Asuragen’s small RNA solution uniquely addresses some of the most
challenging analytical aspects of microRNA biomarker discovery for
early-stage cancer detection: quantification of known and novel
microRNAs; identification of isomiRs; and achievement of tighter data
over a wider dynamic range than other current non-sequencing-based
options.
About Asuragen
Asuragen is a molecular diagnostics company driving better patient
management in oncology and genetic disorders through best-in-class
clinical testing solutions. The company uses a breadth of technologies
and scientific talent to discover, develop and commercialize diagnostic
products for clinical laboratories and for our Bio/Pharma partners.
Asuragen’s development of innovative diagnostic products will help
transform medicine by improving clinical outcomes and health economics.
For more information, visit www.asuragen.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2015