Skuldtech secures EUR 1 million to develop new diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease

16-Sep-2013 - France

Skuldtech announced that it has secured EUR 1 million in funding from Bpifrance (French public financing structure) as part of a project on Alzheimer's disease that has received funding of EUR 8.6 million in total. The program is planned to last for four years, with the first results expected in 2018.

Skuldtech has joined forces with AB Science for this program, with the aim of developing a new therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. As part of the program, Skuldtech will develop a companion diagnostic for AB Science's masitinib molecule and a diagnostic for the validity of cognitive tests and tests to predict the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Using blood samples taken as part of the Phase III trial of masitinib in Alzheimer's disease, Skuldtech will identify the blood biomarkers that will help make simple, reliable diagnostic tests available as a matter of routine. This will result in treatments that can be tailored to the patient and the ability to monitor sufferers as their disease progresses. The clinical trial of masitinib was launched in Europe and other countries in May 2013. It expects to recruit a total of 400 patients. Blood samples from these patients will contribute to the development of a companion diagnostic by making it possible to identify those individuals most likely to benefit from the treatment.

This approach has already proven successful in the development of a new treatment for pancreatic cancer that combines gemcitabine and masitinib, where Skuldtech identified new biomarkers predicting a favorable response to treatment. The results of this clinical study led to an application to the European Medicines Agency for Marketing Authorization (MA) for masitinib in combination with companion biomarkers.

Using further blood samples, Skuldtech will also develop a diagnostic for the validity of cognitive tests and tests predicting the progression (slow or rapid) of Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/144947/skuldtech-secures-eur-1-million-to-develop-new-diagnostics-for-alzheimer-s-disease.html