Biovica and WntResearch acknowledge the possibility to utilize a blood sample to identify patients that will benefit from Foxy-5. The rationale for the collaboration are several studies demonstrating that thymidine kinase (TK) activity can be measured with high precision by Biovicas DiviTumÒassay and is strongly correlated to tumor aggressiveness. To investigate the connection between TK, Wnt-5a and cancer recurrence, TK will be measured in a planned phase 2 study of patients with colon cancer.

”The biomarker area is currently growing rapidly and predictive markers are in high demand by medical authorities, pharma companies and treating physicians”, says Peter Morsing, CEO WntResearch.

”We’ve noticed an increase in demand for our biomarker by pharma companies developing new drugs. The agreement with WntResearch gives us added knowledge in yet another tumor disease area with the objective to increase patients selected for improved and tailored therapy. We want to contribute to best possible outcome for patients by personalizing the treatment”, says Anders Rylander, CEO Biovica.

Companion diagnostics is part of the development of personalized drugs, precision medicine. The area has lately created great interest in the pharma sector. Swiss Roche acquired US Foundation Medicine in June, focusing on tailored drug research, at a market value of 5.3 billion USD.