NEW YORK (360Dx) – Numares and the University of Oxford announced on Wednesday a collaboration to develop a test to better diagnose multiple sclerosis patients.
The in vitro diagnostic test will also improve therapeutic decisions by doctors for MS patients, the partners said in a statement. The test will be based on work done by Oxford researchers differentiating MS patients by metabolic biomarkers using nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Numares will use its Magnetic Group Signaling technology to advance work by Oxford researchers to create a noninvasive diagnostic.
Under the terms of the deal, Oxford will provide samples from MS patients and process them on an NMR system equipped with Numares' technology. Numares made an initial payment of an undisclosed amount and will make additional payments. Upon the completion of the development and commercialization of a test, Oxford will receive royalties on sales.
No additional details were disclosed.
The lead scientist on the project, Daniel Anthony, head of experimental neuropathology laboratory, department of pharmacology at Oxford, said that the collaboration will accelerate research and "may be directly applicable for the development of an MS IVD system that could identify patients with progressing disease and help to adopt an appropriate treatment plan."