OncoStem and Sapien will pilot and commercialise this test across the Apollo network
Sapien Biosciences and OncoStem Diagnostics has collaborated for the development and validation of a novel breast cancer recurrence prediction test.
OncoStem has developed a unique panel of 'prognostic and predictive' proteomic markers that is indicative of the aggressiveness of the cancer. These markers are now being validated using retrospective tumour samples diagnosed with Stage 1, 2 or 3A breast cancer. OncoStem is collaborating with Sapien to validate this test using such annotated tumour samples with associated treatment and outcomes. Once the test is validated, OncoStem and Sapien will pilot and commercialise this test across the Apollo network.
Dr Jugnu Jain, CSO- Sapien Biosciences said, "Sapien Biosciences was set-up as a bio-repository that will enable the development of cutting-edge diagnostics & therapeutics.
The samples and associated medical data that are being systematically collated & ethically banked at Sapien are a very rich resource for the development of such novel diagnostic tests. Recurrence diagnostics in cancer is particularly dependent on the availability of reliable retrospective information which is acutely lacking in India. I am glad that Sapien is filling this huge gap and we are excited to be part of this collaboration with OncoStem to develop such a test that will represent a paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment."
"OncoStem was founded with the vision of developing novel diagnostic tests to predict cancer recurrence, an area of huge unmet medical need. This breast cancer recurrence diagnostic is the first of many such tests in development across several cancer types and is designed to predict the patients' risk of cancer recurrence within the first five years of their initial diagnosis, based on the characteristics of their tumor sample," said Dr Manjiri Bakre, CEO, OncoStem Diagnostics.
"This will in-turn allow optimal and personalised treatment planning for each patient so that risk of such recurrence is minimised. We are excited to be collaborating with Sapien to validate our test using such a valuable resource of samples and associated data which is otherwise extremely difficult to obtain. This partnership will help us realise the potential of our novel diagnostic test and impact millions of breast cancer patients worldwide," he added.
Reportedly, the OncoStem breast cancer recurrence diagnostic test is planned to be launched first within the Apollo network in India, followed by a worldwide launch in a phased manner starting late 2015-early 2016.
