Thermo Fisher Scientific opens biomarker translational centre

At the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) 2011 World Congress, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the establishment of a new biomarker translational centre (BT Centre). The purpose of the BT Centre is to accelerate mass spectrometry MS-based biomarker discovery research and its translation into the development of routine clinical assays for subsequent commercialisation. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the BT Centre combines expertise from across Thermo Fisher including its B•R•A•H•M•S product line and the team at the Biomarkers Research Initiatives in Mass Spectrometry (BRIMS) Centre.

“Through the vertical integration with the unique talent in MS-based biomarker discovery and high-throughput quantitative assay development at BRIMS, we aim to expand our pipeline of new protein and peptide biomarkers with potential as clinical assays,” said Bruno Darbouret, director of research and development for B•R•A•H•M•S biomarkers at Thermo Fisher. “Ultimately, this development effort will speed the commercialisation of diagnostic tests that address life threatening diseases.”

Thermo Fisher will draw on its understanding of clinical market needs and its strengths in diagnostics development, validation and commercialisation to define the disease areas of focus for the BT Centre. The company’s relationship with clinical researchers will provide access to clinical partners and patient samples for biomarker discovery and validation studies using B•R•A•H•M•S biomarkers.

For the disease areas chosen, the BRIMS Centre aims to apply its competencies in quantitative MS biomarker discovery and multiplexed selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assay development to identify putative biomarkers and their clinically relevant isoforms to develop robust, reproducible, targeted MS-based assays appropriate for the validation of putative biomarkers for the clinical diagnostics market.

Thermo Fisher will own all intellectual property around the biomarkers and assays and will commercialise the assays as clinical diagnostic products and services after obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals.

“Efficient translation of MS-based biomarker discovery research into the development of routine clinical diagnostic assays is an important challenge in the field of personalised medicine,” said Bryan Krastins, group leader, BT Centre. “Bridging this gap requires high-level competence in MS-based biomarker discovery and routine assay development for biomarker verification and validation. Understanding clinician and patient needs and having extensive experience in clinical validation are also essential to the transformation of novel tests into clinical routine assays. The new BT Centre integrates all the capabilities needed to speed the clinical assay development pipeline from biomarker discovery to clinical assay development and validation.”

The Thermo Scientific B•R•A•H•M•S product line features a range of diagnostic test procedures to improve the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases, using patented biomarkers. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the BRIMS Centre develops methodologies and applications for protein biomarker identification and verification. Equipped with Thermo Scientific mass spectrometers and staffed by a team of scientists with expertise in mass spectrometry, protein techniques and informatics, the BRIMS Centre also develops leading software tools for proteomic research.

For more information visit www.thermoscientific.com/ms.