Health & Medicine, UK (Commonwealth Union) – In recent biomarkers have shown more promise as effective agents for both diagnostics and treatment of various conditions.
PharmaKure, a University of Manchester spinout company that is mainly focused on companion diagnostics in treating neurological diseases, entered into a partnership with APIS Assay Technologies Ltd, a company that has scientific expertise in biomarker translation, molecular diagnostics together with bioinformatics.
APIS and PharmaKure have entered into an agreement to advance a development project focused on utilizing Clickmers, DNA oligonucleotides modified with Nobel prize-winning Click chemistry, for the highly selective detection of biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Through this collaboration, APIS and PharmaKure will work together to develop specific Clickmers that target biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s disease pathology. The goal is to clinically validate these Clickmers for diagnostic purposes. Several blood biomarkers, including amyloid-b (Total, Ab40, and Ab42), aggregated α-synuclein, aggregated Tau (Total and pTAU (181)), NFL, and DJ-1, have been identified as indicators of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. The Clickmer technology will be used to accurately and sensitively quantify the levels of these biomarkers in blood samples.
Dr. Farid Khan, CEO at PharmaKure, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that they are excited to work with APIS to explore the potential of using Clickmers to enhance binding affinity towards Alzheimer’s biomarkers, particularly amyloid-b. The aim is to combine this technology with their lead drug candidate, PK051, to develop effective disease-modifying therapeutics for Alzheimer’s by enabling early detection through biomarker assays.
Dr. Helen Fielder, Head of Technology at APIS, also expressed excitement about the collaboration with PharmaKure. She sees it as a tremendous opportunity to support the development of novel diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s. Leveraging APIS’ innovative Clickmer technology, their objective is to deliver highly specific and high-affinity detection of Alzheimer’s biomarkers, enabling earlier disease detection. The combination of early detection and PharmaKure’s PK051 could significantly enhance the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients.
This collaboration holds great promise for advancing the field of Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics and therapeutics by leveraging the unique capabilities of Clickmers and their potential to revolutionize early detection and treatment approaches.
“Our goal is to accurately identify patients that are starting on the road to Alzheimer’s Disease, even before they have any symptoms. The Clickmer Systems technology will allow us to measure the levels of the protein forms that trigger the onset of the disease’ said Professor Andrew Doig from The University of Manchester, Head of Research and Development at PharmaKure. “A combination of new drugs and diagnostics will finally allow us to find the effective treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease that we so desperately need.”
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has emerged as one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. With an aging global population, the impact of this devastating condition continues to grow. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects the brain, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein fragments called amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain, disrupting its normal functioning. These pathological changes gradually impair communication between brain cells, resulting in their dysfunction and eventual death.
Accurate and early diagnosis is crucial for managing Alzheimer’s disease effectively. Over the years, advancements in medical imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and novel biomarker detection techniques have significantly improved diagnostic capabilities. Researchers are exploring the potential of imaging technologies, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans, to visualize and quantify amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Additionally, blood tests targeting specific biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s are being developed, enabling non-invasive and cost-effective screening methods.
With a heavily aging population, more effective diagnostics and treatments will be essential in the years ahead.
