Merck Millipore and Proteomics sign collaboration agreement
To validate biomarkers related to kidney disease
Merck Millipore, the life science division of Merck KGaA of Germany, is to collaborate with Proteomics International of Perth, Australia to validate biomarkers related to kidney disease.
Under the agreement, Proteomics International will assess its 13 newly identified putative protein biomarkers by using Merck Millipore’s multiplex immunoassays. The biomarkers include proteins involved in metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which could be used to monitor the progression and prognosis of kidney disease in patients with diabetes.
Diabetic nephropathy is screened using the microalbumin test, a single biomarker in the urine that has limited utility, however, in predicting and monitoring disease progression.
Proteomics says several of its newly identified biomarkers show promise in enhancing the current screening methods by identifying a signature of biomarkers in the blood that can better represent disease prediction and progression.
The company will also use its extensive sample repository of relevant clinical specimens to assess additional biomarkers developed by Merck Millipore.
Jehangir Mistry, director of R&D at Merck Millipore, said: ‘We expect this opportunity will enable Merck Millipore to expand its substantial portfolio of Elisa and Milliplex multiplexed-bead based assays for diabetes and metabolic disease biomarkers.
‘In addition to its biomarkers, Proteomics brings access to large, highly stratified patient cohorts in Australia to validate assay performance. This will help us determine the clinical utility of the biomarkers for development of potential diagnostic tests for diabetic nephropathy.’