QuantuMDx, A*STAR To Develop Asia-Specific Genetic Tests

A*STAR has signed an agreement with QuantuMDx, a UK-based biotech developing handheld diagnostics and whole genome sequencing devices.

AsianScientist (May 21, 2013) – A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) has signed an agreement with QuantuMDx (QMDx), a UK-based biotech developing handheld diagnostics and whole genome sequencing devices.

Under this collaboration, QMDx’s wholly owned Singapore-based subsidiary QMDx Asia and GIS will develop Asia-specific point-of-care genetic tests for use with Q-POC™, QMDx’s handheld point-of-care device. QMDx will commercialize the tests.

Q-POC™, currently at prototype stage, uses novel sample preparation, extraction, amplification, and a nanowire biosensor to detect DNA sequences of interest in under 15 minutes, from sample to result.

The first assay from the development pipeline will direct treatment of East Asian patients with kinase-driven cancers, such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small lung cancer (EGFR NSCLC).

The device will be used to rapidly test patients, in a cancer clinic or post surgery, for the presence of a BIM deletion polymorphism genetic mutation which GIS has shown causes a lack of responsiveness to the standard Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) regime. Patients with the mutation could then be advised to switch to other chemotherapeutic agents, such as BH3 mimetics.

“The collaboration with GIS is of great importance to QuantuMDx and our Asia subsidiary, QMDx Asia, as it offers access to GIS’s world class genomic expertise and facilities and to their Asian-specific validated disease biomarkers. This is of immense importance in developing Asian-specific diagnostic and companion diagnostic assays for sale within Asia,” said QMDx’s Group Chief Executive, Elaine Warburton.

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Source: A*STAR.
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