Plymouth-based DeNovo Sciences Inc. has announced a research agreement with the South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) that will help with genome sequencing to detect changes in cancer’s behavior and drug susceptibility.
“(START’s) worldwide Phase I oncology program is accelerating the development of new anticancer drugs that will improve the quality of life and survival for patients with cancer,” says Dr. Kalyan Handique, CEO of DeNovo Sciences.
Under the terms of the agreement, START will collect blood from cancer patients and will use DeNovo instruments to capture circulating tumor cells (cells that have left the primary tumor and circulate into the bloodstream). The cells are then sent to a genomics lab for whole genome sequencing where they store molecular and genetic information about the tumor, allowing physicians to use a blood test to detect changes in the cancer’s behavior.
“The combination of two of the most exciting innovations in cancer diagnostics: liquid biopsy and next gen sequencing, has the potential to change the paradigm of personalized therapy development,” Handique says.
START’s Phase 1 medical oncology program, with centers in San Antonio, Spain, and China, puts about 400 patients per year on Phase 1 trials. DeNovo Sciences develops technologies to help researchers and physicians monitor cancer cells.
