Almac Group Announce Companion Diagnostic Partnerships with OncoMed
July 10, 2015
Craigavon, UK – 22 Jun 2015 – Almac Diagnostic Services today announced that it has entered into an agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nassdaq: OMED) to develop a companion diagnostic test to help predict a patient’s likelihood of responding to OncoMed’s novel therapeutic which targets R-Spondin 3 (RSPO3). Anti-RSPO3 (OMP-13R10) has demonstrated activity in preclinical models against a variety of major tumour types, including colon, lung and ovarian cancers.Almac and OncoMed are currently developing a gene expression RSPO3 CLIA assay that can be used to prospectively select patients in the clinical development of anti-RSPO3. OncoMed has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for anti-RSPO3 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a Phase 1a clinical trial is due to commence in summer 2015.“We are very pleased to announce this partnership with OncoMed who we have worked with for many years. This companion diagnostic development program is a significant milestone in our work together and helps Almac achieve its goal of advancing human health globally,” said Professor Paul Harkin, President of Almac’s Diagnostic business unit.“Anti-RSPO3 will be OncoMed’s seventh proprietary candidate to enter clinical testing. In preclinical studies, we see a close correlation between RSPO3 biomarkers and potent anti-tumour activity and we are pleased to collaborate with Almac on the development of a CLIA-validated companion diagnostic assay to support our clinical development efforts.” said John Lewicki, Ph.D., OncoMed’s Chief Scientific Officer.
About OncoMed
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). OncoMed has six anti-cancer product candidates in clinical development, the most advanced of which are in randomized Phase 2 clinical trials. Demcizumab (anti-DLL4, OMP-21M18), tarextumab (anti-Notch2/3, OMP-59R5), brontictuzumab (anti-Notch1, OMP-52M51), anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific antibody (OMP-305B83), vantictumab (anti-FZD7, OMP-18R5), and ipafricept (FZD8-Fc, OMP-54F28) each target key cancer stem cell signaling pathways including Notch and Wnt. OncoMed recently filed an Investigational New Drug application for anti-RSPO3 (OMP-131R10), an antibody targeting a third key cancer stem cell signaling pathway called R-spondin-LGR. OncoMed is also pursuing discovery of additional novel anti-CSC and cancer immuno-oncology product candidates.OncoMed has formed strategic alliances with Celgene Corporation, Bayer Pharma AG and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Additional information can be found at the company’s website: www.oncomed.com.