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Oryzon genomics and Ferrer jointly develop products for the early diagnosis of colon cancer

By 15 de March de 2005November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 15.03.2005

Oryzon genomics and Ferrer jointly develop products for the early diagnosis of colon cancer

The biotech company and the pharmaceutical firm have signed an agreement that will allow progress in the development of products for the early diagnosis of colon cancer. The project will require an investment of almost one million euros in its investigation stage.

According to the director of Oryzon, Carlos Buesa, “recent breakthroughs in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics provide opportunities to develop new, non-invasive products for early diagnosis through the detection of first markers”. The new project, which will also address prognosis, will involve combined analysis using proteomic and genomic techniques of hundreds of tumour samples, which will be studied by a multidisciplinary team comprised of 18 researchers. With an R+D phase of approximately two years, this project will also involve collaboration with the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, in addition to leading international experts.

Colon cancer has a high incidence in patients over 60 years of age and has a long period of development. The mortality rate associated with this pathology is very high. In particular, in Spain 21,000 were reported in 2003, of these 11,000 died. “With these new diagnostic tools, it has been estimated that mortality from this disease can be reduced by 40% in the next 10 years”, affirmed Carlos de Lecea, director of Business Development at Ferrer.

In this project Oryzon will perform the main research activity. “The collaboration with a leading company of great potential such as Ferrer is an important part of our strategic commitment to diagnostic and molecular research. This agreement is a significant achievement in our strategy of alliances and co-development projects with the pharmaceutical industry”, commented Carlos Buesa.

Ferrer Internacional is the parent company of the Grupo Ferrer, one of the largest Spanish pharmaceutical companies, which originated from a chemical company in 1959. The company boasts R+D centres in Spain, France and Germany and collaborates in research programmes with institutes in Europe and North American. At present, through its “Ferrerfarma” unit, it is devoting intensive research effort to the field of oncology and, in general, to advanced therapies.