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).
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.