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The agreement allows for some results from Cancer Research UK funded genome-wide association studies* to be integrated into the risk assessment technology. It is hoped this Colo Risk™ technology - which is currently in development - will prove effective in assessing people who may be at higher risk of developing bowel cancer so they can receive tailor-made screening and lifestyle advice.
The technology will be based on recent genome-wide association studies which were the first to identify a number of common ‘genetic variants’ that increase bowel cancer risk. These are known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs appear more frequently in the DNA of people who have developed bowel cancer than of those free from, or at low risk, of developing the disease.
Greg Hines, chief executive officer of ArcticDx Inc. said: “With eight years expertise in the field of in vitro diagnostics development, we’re well placed to take forward these findings and combine them with work we have already done to process information on other risk factors such as age and body mass index which we know also contribute to increased risk of developing the disease. This saliva-based test will be commercially available by the end of this year.”
As part of this licensing deal, CRT will receive an upfront payment as well as royalties on any sales.
Dr Phil L’Huillier, CRT’s director of business management, said: “We are committed to ensuring that the most promising findings in the field of cancer research are developed into technology that can be used to fight cancer. This licence agreement with ArcticDx Inc. incorporates important genetic findings into potentially workable technology which could help identify and manage people at higher risk of bowel cancer – it’s an exciting development.
Notes to editors
These genome-wide association studies were published in 2007/8:
""Common genetic variants at the HMPS/CRAC1 locus on chromosome 15q13.3 influence the risk of colorectal cancer in the UK."" E Jaeger, et al. (2007) Nature Genetics. You can read more about these findings here: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressreleases/2007/december/391726
A genome-wide association study identifies colorectal cancer susceptibility loci on chromosomes 10p14 and 8q23.3.Nat Genet. 2008 May;40(5):623-30. Epub 2008 Mar 30. Tomlinson, I. et al.
Genome-wide association scan identifies a colorectal cancer susceptibility locus on 11q23 and replicates risk loci at 8q24 and 18q21. Nat Genet. 2008 May;40(5):631-7. Epub 2008 Mar 30. Tenesa, A. et al.
About ArcticDx Inc.
ArcticDx Inc. is a molecular diagnostic company with expertise in the design, development and commercialization of validated molecular diagnostic tests. The company’s business model is focused towards the rapid commercialization of Intellectual Property from international gene discovery programs. ArcticDx acquires validated molecular IP which is then used to design and develop molecular assays to an FDA specification. The company has partnered with key medical molecular laboratories to offer testing services in key international markets. The company’s initial tests are Macula Risk® for Age-related Macular Degeneration and Colo Risk® for colorectal cancer.
More information about ArcticDx Inc can be found at: www.arcticdx.com
For further information please contact: Gregory C. Hines, president and chief executive officer, ArcticDx Inc., Suite 200, MaRS Centre, South Tower, 101 College Street, Toronto Ontario
