TIDMNGG
RNS Number : 2069Z
NextGen Group PLC
13 March 2012
March 13 2012
Issued by NextGen Group Plc
NextGen files for intellectual property on dementia
biomarkers
-- Intention to pursue IP across multiple dementia areas
-- Further studies planned to expand patent portfolio
NextGen Group Plc (AIM: NGG), an AIM listed company providing
biomarker discovery services and diagnostic assay development,
announces that its subsidiary, NextGen Sciences Dx (NGSDx), has
filed for intellectual property (IP) on a combination of protein
biomarkers with the potential for diagnosing changes in cognition
for patients with early-stage dementia.
Barry McAleer, PhD, CEO of NextGen Sciences Inc and NextGen
Sciences Dx, says: "The biomarkers we have identified in
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have the potential to aid decision-making
on how to treat patients who have early-stage dementia (i.e.
mild-moderate cognitive impairment), to assist in patient selection
for clinical trials and to monitor the effectiveness of drugs in
development. It gives us an immediate foothold in a critical
healthcare market."
Dementia affects an estimated 36 million people globally in
2010. The number affected is projected to grow to 65 million by
2030 (Source: ADI 2009). The number suffering from cognitive
impairments, which are not severe enough to be classified as
dementia, is significantly higher.
Biomarkers can be used to identify the existence and/or
progression of a disease. They are also commonly used in clinical
trials to aid in patient selection and to evaluate the
effectiveness of a drug. There is a significant need for biomarkers
to monitor and diagnose CNS disorders both within the patient care
and drug development industries.
There are currently almost 500 active dementia/cognitive
clinical trials globally (Source: www.clinicaltrials.gov), a number
that is likely to continue to rise given the increasing prevalence
of these disorders. Over 90 pharma/biotech companies are conducting
clinical trials in relation to diseases with a dementia element
(Source: Medtrack).
Adds Barry McAleer: "It is clear to us all, that real progress
is needed to address the suffering and distress for the millions
people affected by dementias. NextGen Sciences Dx was established
to help achieve this mission by exploiting the technological
capabilities of its sister company, NextGen Sciences Inc. Filing
for IP signals the start of our ongoing plans to secure maximum
commercial returns on the discoveries we make."
The protein markers were identified using the high precision
csfdiscovery43 assay developed by NextGen Sciences Inc. An assay is
the procedure for testing the effects of a chemical in an organism.
For example, assays are used to test the efficiency of a drug on a
sample of patients in a clinical trial.
Barry McAleer comments: "These markers have been identified
through collaborations with several US-based academic and clinical
centres that bring high quality patient samples and comprehensive
clinical data into juxtaposition with our precise assays. Not only
will we continue to develop and expand our IP position in cognitive
impairment with our current collaborators, but we are actively
seeking new collaborations to investigate other dementia
areas."
"We continue to build partnerships in other CNS disease/disorder
areas as we evaluate the clinical and commercial needs in these
areas e.g. Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Traumatic
Brain Injury."
Klaus Rosenau, Chairman of NextGen Group PLC, explains: "We are
now starting to reap the benefits of the investments we have made
in our technology and in the operational restructures we undertook
in 2010/2011. The dementia biomarkers project is the first in a
number of projects we have in progress as evidence of our vision to
create a diagnostics project engine. This engine will continually
evaluate, both commercially and scientifically, new opportunities
to discover biomarkers and develop products that can enable
clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to address disorders of the
CNS. Importantly, it provides our investors with a unique and
exciting opportunity to access a reduced risk strategy in a market
with clear demand and in which successful companies will generate
significant returns on investment. Looking to the future, we will
continue to build value in our business through establishing a
robust IP portfolio, through sale/licencing of biomarkers and
assays and through diagnostic/clinical trial testing."
NextGen uses mass spectrometry (a technique for specifically
identifying and quantifying biomarkers in samples) as its core
technology to discover highly specific protein biomarkers that can
be used for diagnostic purposes.
NextGen has already launched a number of "discovery" assays in
the Central Nervous System field that measure the presence of
proteins that might be impacted by Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis
and Parkinson's diseases. These assays provide a platform for the
discovery of highly specific and accurate biomarkers that can
address critical questions in CNS diseases. The company continues
to develop further assays that will enable the discovery of further
unique biomarkers for CNS diseases.
In 2010, the total global market for biomarkers was an estimated
$13.5 billion and is expected to grow to nearly $33.3 billion by
the end of 2015 (BCC Research).
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
NextGen Group Plc (AIM: NGG) is a provider of biomarker services
for pharmaceutical and biotech companies globally through its
USA-based subsidiary, NextGen Sciences Inc and a developer of
diagnostic markers and assays through its second US-based
subsidiary, NextGen Sciences Dx. Using advanced techniques, such as
Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry analysis, the
Company is developing a portfolio of robust assays for testing
clinical samples for drug safety and efficacy, and the development
of personalized treatment for patients.
NextGen Sciences Inc is a wholly owned, operational subsidiary
of NextGen Group Plc and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
USA. NextGen Sciences' range of services, which include biomarker
discovery, assay development, validation and testing are employed
by its customers as a key part of the biomarker-based drug and
diagnostic development process.
NextGen Sciences Dx is a wholly owned, operational subsidiary of
NextGen Group Plc and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts,
USA. NextGen Sciences Dx utilises the expertise of NextGen Sciences
Inc to discover biomarkers and develop assays for point-of-care
diagnostics, to assist in patient treatment, for selection of
patients for clinical trials and to aid decision-making on efficacy
determination for therapeutic development.
For further details please contact:
Klaus Rosenau
CEO & Chairman
NextGen Group
Tel: +49 (0)160 5516756
Barry McAleer PhD
CEO
NextGen Sciences Inc and NextGen Sciences Dx
Tel: +44 (0)7825 413 110
Nicola Marrin
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7107 8000
Seymour Pierce Limited
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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