Introduces biomarker discovery product (7745A)
April 04 2012 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMNGG
RNS Number : 7745A
NextGen Group PLC
04 April 2012
4 April 2012
NextGen Group Plc
NextGen introduces biomarker discovery product for human
blood
-- Enhanced capability for discovery of new diagnostic markers
-- Expects to expand client base with wider product range
NextGen Group Plc (AIM: NGG), an AIM listed company providing
biomarker discovery services and diagnostic assay development,
announces the commercialisation of a new assay for the discovery of
biomarkers in human blood.
The new assay will expand the product offering of NextGen's
contract research subsidiary, NextGen Sciences Inc.
An assay is the procedure for testing the effects of a chemical
in an organism. For example, assays are used to discover biomarkers
which are used to identify the existence and progression of a
disease. Biomarkers 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 central nervous system (CNS) disorders and cancer both
within the patient care and drug development industries.
The "PLASMAassay-human A.1.0" product is capable of measuring 52
blood proteins simultaneously that have been identified as likely
biomarkers in both CNS disorders and some cancers, including lung,
breast and prostate cancer.
Barry McAleer, PhD, CEO of NextGen Sciences Inc says: "This new
assay is a very high-quality platform through which our customers
can accelerate their biomarker discovery research."
"Customers who outsource the development of custom assays to us
will also benefit from this cutting-edge product."
"The product will also be used by NextGen's diagnostics
subsidiary to progress its own research programmes in the discovery
of diagnostic markers."
The release of the PLASMAassay-human A.1.0 product comes on the
heels of the commercialisation of NextGen's csfdiscovery82 (now
renamed as CSFassay-human A.1.0), an assay for the discovery of CNS
biomarkers in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Says Barry McAleer: "This confirms NextGen's capability to
discover diagnostic biomarkers in several bodily fluids i.e. blood
and cerebrospinal fluid. This establishes us as a leader in
providing high quality assays for many proteins for which until now
there were not assays.
"These assay products are already attracting interest in the
marketplace and we are in discussions with a number of clients who
wish to use these assays in their R&D programmes."
Klaus Rosenau, Chairman of NextGen Group PLC, explains: "We
continue to push aggressively to create new products and bring them
to market. The current products provide our customers with a unique
resource in their biomarker and drug development programmes and we
have further exciting products currently under development that
will significantly enhance our offering."
"The beauty of these products is that not only can we attract
revenues from our clients who wish to exploit the assays, but we
can use the same assays to build upon the project engine pipeline
of the NextGen Sciences Dx business to generate further
intellectual property and seek out biomarker sale/licencing/testing
routes to build value for our shareholders."
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.
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).
Last month (March 2012) NextGen's diagnostics subsidiary,
NextGen Sciences Dx, filed for intellectual property on a
combination of CSF protein biomarkers with the potential for
diagnosing early-stage dementia and for monitoring its
progression.
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
Chairman
NextGen Group
Tel: +49 (0)160 5516756
Barry McAleer PhD MBA
CEO
NextGen Sciences Inc and NextGen Sciences Dx Inc
Tel: +44 (0)7825 413 110
Nicola Marrin
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7107 8000
Seymour Pierce Limited
Fay Israsena or Nick Mattison
Mattison Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7645 3636
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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