Biogen, Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio to Collaborate on Blood-Based
Biomarkers and Test for Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease
- The collaboration aims to identify and develop accessible,
minimally invasive blood-based biomarkers specific for tau
pathology in the brain
- These tools have the potential to be used to stratify patients
or monitor treatment response for a new generation of future
therapies impacting tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and BREA, Calif. and TOKYO, July 30, 2024
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB), Beckman Coulter,
Inc. and Fujirebio announced a collaboration to potentially
identify and develop blood-based biomarkers for tau pathology in
the brain and to potentially clinically advance and potentially
commercialize new tests for tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease
(AD). The development of tau-specific blood-based biomarkers that
can measure a patient’s tau burden could provide critical insights
into the underlying pathological processes of AD and may help
advance the development of a new generation of therapies impacting
tau pathology.
Through this collaboration, the companies will work to identify
new blood-based biomarkers and advance known blood-based biomarkers
for tau pathology in AD. The collaboration aims to develop and
clinically advance new tools that measure brain tau pathology to
potentially stratify patients or monitor treatment response in AD
clinical trials. The collaboration has the potential to advance
tau-specific blood-based biomarkers and diagnostic tools that could
be used not only in clinical trials, but also in clinical practice
to enable adoption of future therapies impacting tau pathology.
“Stratifying and monitoring patients for tau pathology is a
growing need for the next generation of Alzheimer's therapies, such
as our pipeline of investigational tau-targeting therapies,
including tau-directed ASO,” said Jane Grogan, Ph.D., Head of
Research at Biogen. “Through this collaboration, we plan to
leverage our deep scientific expertise in the development and use
of biomarkers, combined with our partners’ capabilities in
diagnostics, to potentially accelerate the development timeline for
blood-based diagnostics that can measure a patient’s levels of tau
pathology.”
“Collaborative efforts between Biogen, Beckman Coulter and
Fujirebio combine the strength of leading edge biomarker
development with innovative potential treatments focused on the
tauopathy aspect of neurodegeneration, driving us closer to
effective solutions,” said Kathleen Orland, Senior Vice President,
General Manager, Chemistry, and Immunoassay for Beckman Coulter
Diagnostics. “Ensuring high quality neurological tests are broadly
available through our global installed-base of analyzers, this
collaboration with Biogen and Fujirebio underscores our commitment
to working with leaders in neurodegenerative disease areas to bring
fully automated, high throughput, blood-based Alzheimer's disease
testing to the millions of patients who suffer from dementia
worldwide.”
“Blood-based biomarkers for tau pathology could advance the
development and implementation of disease-modifying therapies for
neurodegenerative disorders such as AD,” said Monte Wiltse,
President & CEO of Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. “This
partnership will further help us accelerate our efforts to develop
novel neurodegenerative disease diagnostics and deliver them to
laboratories and clinicians around the world via our global
diagnostics partners, addressing the unmet medical need for
blood-based biomarkers.”
Under the terms of the collaboration, Biogen will provide
Alzheimer's clinical study data and expertise in biomarker research
to prioritize markers for tau pathology. Fujirebio and Beckman
Coulter will be responsible for providing diagnostic development,
manufacturing and commercialization.
About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that
pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform
patients’ lives and to create value for shareholders and our
communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and
leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments
or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to
take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver
long-term growth.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors
on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social
media - Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube.
About Beckman Coulter. Inc.
A global leader in advanced diagnostics, Beckman Coulter has
challenged convention to elevate the diagnostic laboratory’s role
in improving patient health for more than 80 years. Our mission is
to Relentlessly Reimagine Healthcare, One Diagnosis at a Time – and
we do this by applying the power of science, technology and the
passion and creativity of our teams. Our diagnostic solutions are
used in complex clinical testing, and are found in hospitals,
reference laboratories and physician office settings around the
globe. We exist to deliver smarter, faster diagnostic solutions
that move the needle forward from what’s now to what’s next. We do
this by accelerating care with an extensive clinical menu, scalable
lab automation technologies, insightful clinical informatics, and
lab performance services. Headquartered in Brea, Calif., Beckman
Coulter has more than 11,000 global team members. 2024-13330.
Follow and connect with Beckman Coulter
via LinkedIn, X, and Facebook
About Fujirebio
Fujirebio, a member of H.U. Group Holdings Inc., is a global leader
in the field of high-quality in vitro diagnostics (IVD) testing. It
has more than 50 years’ accumulated experience in the conception,
development, production, and worldwide commercialization of robust
IVD products. Fujirebio supplies new technology and novel
diagnostic markers to the global Diagnostics industry through
material supply, contract development and manufacturing.
Fujirebio was the first company to develop and market CSF
biomarkers under the Innogenetics brand over 25 years ago.
Fujirebio remains the only company with such a comprehensive
line-up of manual and fully automated neurodegenerative disease
assays and consistently partners with organizations and clinical
experts across the world to develop new pathways for earlier,
easier and more complete neurodegenerative diagnostic tools. More
information can be found at www.fujirebio.com/alzheimer.
Biogen Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements, relating
to: our strategy and plans; potential of, and expectations for, our
commercial business and pipeline programs; capital allocation and
investment strategy; clinical development programs, clinical
trials, and data readouts and presentations; the potential for
blood based AD biomarker tests; regulatory discussions,
submissions, filings, and approvals; the potential benefits,
safety, and efficacy of our and our collaboration with Beckman
Coulter Diagnostics and Fujirebio;. These forward-looking
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MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Biogen
Jack Cox
+ 1 781 464 3260
public.affairs@biogen.com
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics
Jeff Tarmy
+ 1 617 467 7537
jtarmy@beckman.com
H.U. Group Holdings/Fujirebio
Kazumi Kobayashi
+ 81 3 6279 0884
pr@hugp.com
|
INVESTOR CONTACT(S):
Biogen
Chuck Triano
+1 781 464 2442
IR@biogen.com
H.U. Group Holdings/Fujirebio
Hisashi Yamakawa
+ 81 3 6279 0926
ir@hugp.com
|
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