BIOMARKERS
The implications of reduced funding from government institutions such as the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlight challenges across various research fields, particularly in biomarker development.
Beyond p-tau217, we must collectively
recognise how much more clinical impact could be possible through a deeper understanding of blood- based biomarkers. Research into these biomarkers not only have the transformative potential to advance neurodegenerative disease treatments by streamlining the diagnostic process and therapeutic drug trials, but they may one day improve health outcomes and accessibility for financially vulnerable patients. Investment in blood biomarkers today can produce significant long-term savings. For example, these tests can speed up the recruitment phase of clinical trials and reduce the overall costs. More therapies can be evaluated with the same overall budget, leading to a higher probability of advancements that benefit patients.
Reduced funding into biomarker
research means halting the momentum of next-generation treatments for complex diseases, especially if the programmes aren’t supported by pharmaceutical and life-science companies.
How can pharmaceutical companies ensure their research complements publicly funded work?
As the line between public and private sector innovation continues to blur, we’re seeing pharmaceutical companies taking on greater responsibility in driving research forward that might have previously relied on public funding and may now be hindered by regulatory or funding delays. Advancing research into clinical breakthroughs demands integration of many dynamic components, for pharmaceutical companies this means having a broad network, resources and relevant partnerships.
While innovation is possible through an individual approach, collaboration fuels the future of scientific discovery through streamlined approaches. Collaborative programmes provide clinical researchers with the resources to accelerate biomarker discovery and development through direct partnerships with pharmaceutical and life-science companies. These programmes not only accelerate the pace of scientific progress but also provide a practical framework for moving therapies through the pipeline from early-stage research to clinical applications, ensuring that breakthroughs reach patients in a timely manner.
Reference 1 Therriault J, Janelidze S, Benedet AL, et
al. Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease using plasma biomarkers adjusted to clinical probability. Nat Aging. 2024;4(11):1529- 1537. doi:10.1038/s43587-024-00731-y
Michael Miller PhD is Chief Operation Officer of Quanterix. Mike joined Quanterix in July 2021 as Senior Vice President of Accelerator and Clinical Services and brings over 25 years’ experience developing and commercialising products, including over 15 years in the fields of life science research and clinical diagnostics. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of ProterixBio, a company that commercialised novel protein diagnostic tests through its high-complexity CLIA laboratory. Michael earned a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. He is inventor or co-inventor on over 25 issued patents.
Quanterix is a company that is digitising biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health. The firm’s technology is currently being used for research applications across several therapeutic areas, including neurology, oncology, cardiology, inflammation and infectious disease.
www.quanterix.com
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