Collaboration to Develop Diagnostic Test for Purpura

Ciphergen (Fremont, California, USA) and Ohio State University Research Foundation (OSURF, Columbus, OH, USA) have announced a collaborative agreement to develop and clinically validate a diagnostic test to detect thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a hematologic disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, OSURF and Ciphergen will optimize the assay to measure enzyme and antibody inhibition activity, and will jointly conduct multi-center studies to validate the test. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

TTP is a blood disorder characterized by low platelets, low red blood cell count (caused by premature breakdown of the cells), neurologic abnormalities, and sometimes abnormalities in kidney function. In most cases, this disease is caused by a deficiency in auto-antibodies to an enzyme called a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif 13 (ADAMTS-13). Loss of this enzyme causes platelet clumping and red blood cell destruction.

"A clinical diagnostic test that can rapidly detect deficiencies in the enzyme activity associated with TTP will help physicians more effectively manage this devastating disease,” said Haifeng M. Wu, M.D., assistant professor of pathology and medicine and director of the clinical coagulation laboratory at Ohio State University Medical Center. "This test will help physicians determine when to initiate plasma exchange and monitor response to this therapy.” Working with Dr. Wu, Ciphergen intends to optimize a surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI)-based test, which will be reproducible and will accurately measure the product of the enzymatic reaction that underlies this disease.

Annual testing opportunities are needed to diagnose patients with TTP, evaluate patient responses to therapy, and monitor patients during clinical remission to prevent recurrences of the disease.

Ciphergen Biosystems is dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat, and improve outcomes for patients. The company has ongoing diagnostic programs in oncology/hematology, cardiology, and women's health with a focus on ovarian cancer.



Related Links:
Ciphergen
Ohio State University Research Foundation