Proxy Life Sciences Holding to Test Virtual-Biopsy Technology for Clinical Applications in Cancer, Cardiovascular, Neurological and Inflammatory Diseases
Proxy Life Science Holdings has established a multiyear collaboration with NutraClinical for the clinical evaluation of its ProxysomeTM virtual biopsy technology. ProxysomesTM are commonly known as microvesicles and exosomes. Using a simple blood test, the technology promises not only to detect early disease but also to pinpoint the affected organs/tissues. The studies to be conducted by NutraClinical will explore the use of the technology in various disease categories including cardiology, immunology, neurology and cancer.
San Diego, California (PRWEB) February 01, 2012
Proxy Life Science Holdings Incorporated (Proxy) announced today that it has entered a collaborative agreement with Nutraclinical Inc. (NCI) of San Diego California to conduct clinical evaluations of Proxy's virtual biopsy technology. The technology has been shown to have the potential to identify disease, its stage and the affected organ through a simple blood test. NCI will provide access to research centers and biological samples to explore and evaluate the clinical application of the ProxysomeTM technology in various disease categories, including cardiology, immunology, neurobiology and cancer. Financial details were not disclosed.
This collaboration will evaluate Proxy's platform technology based on US Patent No. US 8,021,847 entitled "Microvesicle-Based Compositions and Methods". The patent relates to methods of isolating RNA from blood borne exosomes and microvesicles for the detection and analysis of disease biomarkers which may then be traced back to the affected cells and organs which produced them.
Clinical studies are essential to any diagnostics development program, especially as they relate to the availability of and the access to relevant biological samples. They are critical tools in determining the analytical and clinical validity as well as clinical utility of any new diagnostic test. However, obtaining relevant and properly handled biological samples can be a challenge and a bottleneck for most development programs. NCI has the expertise to organize, recruit, procure and manage multisite studies with appropriate QA, QC and compliance management systems.
"Our collaboration with NCI will play an important part in our efforts to bring our ProxisomeTM virtual biopsy tests to market. Academia has taken notice of the fundamental value of microvesicles and exosomes and has responded with a flurry of exciting publications in recent years. Our job is to bring systematic development discipline to bear, to ensure that this biopsyless technology makes the transition from academic promise, to clinical reality, " stated Dr. Pietrzkowski, President and Co-founder.
Proxy has coined the term ProxysomesTM to describe what are commonly known as microvesicles and exosomes in academic circles. ProxysomesTM are nano- and micro-sized vesicle structures produced by cells and tissues, especially in response to disease, infection or stress. They are expelled from the affected cells and circulate in the blood stream and other bodily fluids. Importantly, ProxysomesTM share certain structures and components in common with their parental cells. They are essentially rich packets of circulating information loaded with a myriad of molecular markers such as mRNA, microRNA, proteins, and other cellular components. These biological structures have been shown to be at least in part, a fundamental communication mechanism between cells, a way for cells to shuttle SOS distress signals across short and long distances, a means to influence or even control the response of distant cells and tissues. This abundant source of information may also be decoded and translated to identify disease-related biomarkers, tissue-type biomarkers and their bio-signatures. This data can then be used to pinpoint an affected organ and determine its health or disease status, giving ProxysomesTM the potential to replace certain tissue biopsies with a virtual blood-based test. By gathering ProxysomesTM via a simple blood draw, it may be possible to access information about distant cells, tissues and organs, including those originating from a multitude of diseases.
"The implications for diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery are truly tremendous. Our ProxysomeTM platform has the potential to significantly advance the field of molecular diagnostics enabling important advances in personalized medicine. Our collaboration with NCI will bring an important and key clinical component to our R&D program and will also add opportunities and value to our IP position. We have one of the earliest and broadest patents in the field, this gateway patent firmly positions our company to be a leader in the rapidly developing field," stated Rey Magana, Vice President and Co-founder.
About Proxy Life Science Holdings
Proxy Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company building an IP holding portfolio focused on exosome-based molecular diagnostics and therapeutics technologies. Its patented ProxysomeTM virtual biopsy technology forms the core of the companies research and development program.
The company is actively seeking opportunities to out-license or co-develop its technology in the fields of discovery, diagnostics, and therapeutics for application in a wide-ranging set of human diseases and conditions. Visit us at: http://www.proxydx.com
About NutraClinical, Inc.
NutraClinical, Inc. (NCI) is a privately held company focusing on biomarker based clinical trials for the nutraceutical and medical device industry. NCI provides clinical study services with superb speed, offshore budgets and the convenience of near-shore proximity to the USA. Studies are conducted under IRB oversight to evaluate novel nutraceuticals and diagnostics. NCI has conducted dozens of studies in areas as diverse as diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, weight loss, sports nutrition, and endurance among many others.
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