Last checked at 13 Jul 2010 07:00
Proteome Sciences plc
Proteome Sciences develops two novel proteomic biomarker assays
for Alzheimer's disease
13 July 2010, London, UK - Proteome Sciences, a leading developer of biomarkers in diagnostics and drug development, is pleased to announce presentations of two novel, multiplex biomarker assays developed by Proteome Sciences in collaboration with researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London using novel proteomic discovery techniques to identify biomarkers and potential new therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's (AD). New generation diagnostic tests using protein biomarkers in AD and lung cancer have recently been attracting considerable media attention, resulting in the publication of a number of leading articles in the UK press.
The assays are being presented at the 2010 International Conference on Alzheimer's disease (ICAD) being held this week in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The first presentation describes a mass spectrometer assay for the absolute quantitation of nine blood proteins shown to have utility in the early diagnosis, prediction of disease progression and response to treatment. The proteins include known risk factors for AD such as ApoE and clusterin as well as newly discovered markers such as gelsolin, alpha-2-macroglobulin and complement factor H. The levels of clusterin in blood have recently been shown to be associated with rate of AD progression and to correlate with the diagnostic changes seen with sophisticated imaging equipment. Proteome Sciences has developed a mass spectrometry assay for clusterin available through PS Biomarker Services. The current format of the test uses a tiny amount of blood and takes around 24 hours.
In the second presentation a new method for the routine determination of levels of phosphorylation on a protein called tau is described. Tau is a major component of the characteristic tangles seen in the brains of patients with AD and is thought to contribute to the death of brain cells in a number of neurodegenerative diseases as a result of hyperphosphorylation. The method can measure subtle changes in the levels of phosphorylation in tau and will initially be used to evaluate the potential of new treatments to prevent the pathological phosphorylations of tau. In addition to developing the tau screening assay, a number of protein kinases were also confirmed as significant targets in the tau hyperphosphorylation pathway.
The two assay methods will be available from Proteome Sciences' ISO 9001:2008 accredited Frankfurt facility and can be outsourced through PS Biomarker Services.
Further assay/licensing details can be obtained from Dr. Ian Pike, Chief Operating Officer (+44 (0)1932 865065).
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For further information please contact:
Proteome Sciences plc
www.proteomics.com Tel: +44 (0)1932 865065
Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive Officer christopher.pearce@proteomics.com
James Malthouse, Finance Director james.malthouse@proteomics.com
Dr. Ian Pike, Chief Operating Officer ian.pike@proteomics.com
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Editor's note
King's Business is responsible for driving innovation within King's College London. A subsidiary of the College, the company develops new opportunities for engagement with business and the public sector across the whole range of academic disciplines. King's Business works with academics to deliver research collaborations, exchange know-how, promote consultancy services, license new technologies and create new business ventures. For more information visit www.kcl.ac.uk/business.