Biomarker collaboration has heart attacks in crosshairs
November 29, 2007
Singulex Inc. announced this week it is working with researchers at Wyeth Research to develop immunoassays, or biochemical tests, on Singulex's flagship biomarker detection system.
Singulex has installed its Erenna system at Wyeth as part of its Erenna Technology Access Program (ETAP) that will allow Wyeth to accurately and precisely measure specific biomarkers in human blood, according to a release.
Wyeth officials said in a statement they are interested in applying the new technologies in the measurements of biomarkers as it plays an important role in both drug discovery and development.
Erenna and accompanying assays are designed to measure very low levels and small changes of protein biomarkers across a variety of biological samples from multiple species. Singulex said it was the first to identify and quantify normal levels and small changes of cardiac troponin I, a protein biomarker used to detect cardiotoxicity and heart attacks, in human plasma.
"Singulex's technology extends the clinical utility of new and existing biomarkers by removing the limits of detection," Philippe Goix, president and chief executive officer of Singulex, said in a statement. "The ability to detect normal and deviations from normal levels of biomarkers will enable better determination of therapeutic index for drug developers and researchers and help shorten the time to select and develop new therapies."
Madison, N.J.-based Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and health-care product companies.
Singulex develops and commercializes innovative technology solutions that enable disease understanding and management for life science researchers and clinicians. The company's research and development facilities are located at the Center for Emerging Technologies incubator in St. Louis, and its commercial operations are based in Hayward, Calif.
