Ventana and Bayer to Collaborate on Companion Diagnostic

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana; Tucson, AZ, USA) has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Bayer Pharma AG (Bayer; Berlin, Germany) to develop a molecular companion diagnostic test that will identify patients most likely to benefit from a novel Bayer antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).

Under the terms of the agreement, Ventana will develop, manufacture, and commercialize a companion diagnostic test for one of Bayer's ADCs. Over a period of five years, both parties may initiate further development projects to develop molecular diagnostic tests in support of additional targeted cancer therapy drugs. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Ventana's diagnostic immunohistochemistry platform aims to analyze the expression level of certain tumor targets serving as biomarkers in clinical studies for patient selection. This will support the development of novel products in the field of oncology therapy and is in agreement with Roche's commitment to personalized healthcare.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to potent cytotoxic drugs is a promising way to increase efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity of drugs by targeting them selectively to tumor tissue. The antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are comprised of three distinctive features: an antibody, a cytotoxic drug (toxophore), and a linker, which give ADCs their characteristic properties. The monoclonal antibody is able to recognize surface proteins selectively over-expressed on cancer cells. This targeting ability allows the ADCs to deliver its cytotoxic toxophore, right into the tumor.

After internalization and release, the toxophore interferes with intracellular processes leading to the programmed death of the tumor cells. The linkers are designed to keep the toxic agent attached to the antibody until the target cancer cell is reached. The targeted nature of ADCs to specific tumor surface proteins or antigens make them good candidates for codevelopment with the Ventana immunohistochemistry-based companion diagnostic assays that measure those antigens.

Stratifying patients for the appropriate, targeted therapy may prove to be a significant step towards personalized medicine in cancer treatment.

This news follows two separate companion diagnostic strategic collaborative agreements Ventana recently announced with Pfizer Inc. (New York, NY, USA) and Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA)

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Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Bayer Pharma AG