Interest in Commercial Applications for Proteomics Continues to Grow

Increasing interest in the field of proteomics has led to a series of agreements between private proteomic companies and academic institutions as well as deals between pharmaceutical companies and novel proteomics innovator biotech companies.

Proteomics is the study of the structure and function of proteins. This includes the study of which proteins are expressed, when and where they are expressed, and of interactions with proteins and other types of molecules. Many drug targets are proteins, and proteomics is an important tool for identification and characterization of novel drug targets. Furthermore, proteomics is an important tool for the identification of novel biomarkers and biomarker panels for diagnosis of diseases.

Among the significant business connections cited in the recent report “Proteomics Markets for Research and IVD Applications” published by Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA) were:

Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milford, MA, USA) and Nuclea Biotechnologies (Pittsfield, MA, USA) will develop multiplexed mass spectrometry-based research methods that Nuclea will use to analyze donor plasma samples from Boston-based diabetes research collaborations.

BG Medicine (Waltham, MA, USA) and Kindstar Diagnostics (China) announced an agreement under which Kindstar will offer galectin-3 testing services in China.

Biocartis (Mechelen, Belgium) and Invetech (Melbourne (Australia) announced a collaboration agreement to support development and manufacture of Evalution, Biocartis’ advanced multiplex platform for analysis of a broad range of protein and nucleic acid-based biomarkers. Invetech provides instrument development, custom automation, and contract manufacturing.

“There is a lot of interest in identification and validation of novel biomarkers that may represent potential drug targets or may lead to novel diagnostic tests,” said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. “Researchers are looking to proteomics for these discoveries.”

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Kalorama Information