SINGAPORE (Sept 9): Biolidics, the medical technology company, is collaborating with Hangzhou Normal University to undertake clinical investigations to validate the clinical utility of CTCs as a biomarker in late stage lung cancer.
In addition, the group’s liquid biopsy solutions will be used as a companion diagnostics test to validate a combination treatment for lung cancer.
The liquid biopsy solutions separate cancer cells from a small amount of blood sample. The clinical studies serve to validate the clinical utility of CTCs as a biomarker in late stage lung cancer.
This will provide oncologists with greater insights on how well the patient responds to the cancer treatment, thereby leading to better tailored alternative treatments to improve their patients’ outcomes and quality of life.
The clinical studies will also be used to show the efficacy of a combination treatment for late stage lung cancer.
The clinical investigations will start in September and is expected to end in December 2021. A total of 22 participating hospitals in four cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hangzhou will participate in this.
The project will be led by Oncology Professor Xie Tian, Dean of the Department of Medical Oncology, Holistic Integrative Oncology Institute and Holistic Integrative Cancer Center of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Hangzhou Normal University. Professor Xie is also a strategic shareholder and one of the group’s Series C investors.
In January 2019, Xie gave his undertaking not to dispose of or sell any of his remaining shares in Biolidics till Dec 18. The undertaking reinforced his commitment to expand Biolidics’ presence and market opportunities in China by
Biolidics says successful clinical studies could lead to the commercialisation of Biolidics’ liquid biopsy solutions as a companion diagnostics test, potentially accelerating the sales of Biolidics’ ClearCell FX1 System and CTChip FR1 biochip.
Ivan Lew, executive director and CEO of Biolidics, says, “In China, lung cancer leads the cancer incidence for male patients and ranks second among females, but the mortality of lung cancer is highest for both sexes. Together with Hangzhou Normal University and Professor Xie, we look forward to advance new therapeutic options for lung cancer patients in China.”
Shares in Biolidics closed 3 cents higher on Monday at 26 cents.
