SUDBURY, ONTARIO (MAY 10, 2012) – An innovative diagnostic tool in cancer treatment, licensed by Laurentian University, will soon be used in clinical studies at various centres worldwide.
The RNA Disruption Assay (RDATM) technology was developed by Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, Professor at Laurentian University, faculty member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and affiliate scientist at the Northeast Cancer Centre of Health Sciences North and by his research associate Dr. Baoqing Guo of Health Sciences North. The test helps oncologists measure how well a breast cancer patient is responding to chemotherapy, at an early stage of treatment. The technology can be used after one or two cycles of chemo, and the results can determine whether patients should continue with the therapy.
Dr. Parissenti, who is also Chief Scientific Officer at Rna Diagnostics Inc., says the benefit of the test is that it can spare many patients from the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy. “Only one in four breast cancer patients derive long-term survival benefits from the chemotherapy,” said Dr. Parissenti. “RDA tells oncologists quickly whether the treatment is helping, or whether the patient should be moved on to other treatments. It means more certainty, sooner, for patients and their families.”
Laurentian University licensed the technology behind RDATM to Rna Diagnostics, the first commercial license ever granted by the university, in order to bring this new medical diagnostic tool to breast cancer patients around the world. Rna Diagnostics has been working to secure funding to cover patent costs, to expand clinical studies internationally, and to support research and development that continues in the Sudbury laboratories. With recent investments in Rna Diagnostics by the Ontario Genomics Institute and a syndicate of angel investors, Laurentian will reach another significant milestone, receiving its first ever royalties for one of its intellectual properties.
The company has also annnounced that under a recently signed research agreement between Rna Diagnostics and a cancer treatment centre outside of Milan, Italy, biopsies will be sent to Sudbury for assessment using RDATM or the RNA Disruption Assay. This development puts Sudbury at the centre of ground-breaking diagnostic research in cancer treatment. “We’re proud to see our Canadian-based technology taking off,” said John Connolly, VP Corporate Development at Rna Diagnostics. “As well as Northern Italy, we have similar projects planned with cancer researchers in Ontario, USA and Germany.”
About Rna Diagnostics Inc.
Rna Diagnostics Inc. is a molecular diagnostics company developing diagnostic tools to assist in the management of cancer chemotherapy. The company’s first product, RNA Disruption Assay™ (RDA™), is a novel test that helps oncologists to rapidly assess the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy. RDA™ can determine whether chemotherapy is working effectively in the individual patient early in treatment thereby guiding clinical decision making.
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Canada in the past decade, now serving close to 10,000 students. With its main campus in Sudbury, it now offers a growing number of programs in Barrie to the 1,200 students located on that campus. Laurentian is a bilingual university with a tri-cultural mandate to support Aboriginal students. For two years in a row, the University ranked #1 in Canada in total sponsored research income among primarily undergraduate universities. Laurentian has one of the highest post-graduation employment rates in Ontario and receives high recognition for its enviable class sizes, having one of the lowest faculty-to-student ratios in Canada. For more information on Laurentian University visit www.laurentian.ca
MEDIA CONTACTS
For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Joanne Musico
Manager, Communications
Tel: 705-675-1151 ext. 3445 or 1.800.263.4188 ext.3445
jmusico@laurentian.ca