Roche, Evotec partner for oncology biomarkers; blood test for neurofibromatosis;

> Roche and Evotec are getting together to develop protein-activity based biomarkers for Roche's oncology drugs under development, according to a release. Evotec will use its PhosphoScout platform to discover protein-phosphorylation's that predict favorable dosage and efficacy of targeted cancer drugs. Roche will be responsible for conducting clinical trials. Release

> A simple blood test for the protein melanoma-inhibitory activity could be used to indicate the presence of neurofibromas. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic condition with symptoms ranging from benign "café au lait" patches on the skin, through small tumors under the skin and deep plexiform neurofibromas, to malignant tumors of the nerve sheath. Release

> The Michael J. Fox Foundation is taking proposals for research into biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. More here

> University College Dublin biomarker researcher William Gallagher has received the NovaUCD 2011 Innovation Award for his work in identifying and validating cancer biomarkers. Story

> Mark G. Kris, chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the importance of defining the term biomarker. Video

> Exosomes as biomarkers for early disease detection using NanoSight's NTA technology. Release

> Biomarker abstract of the week: Recent advances in biomarkers in osteoarthritis. Abstract