GRAND FORKS,
N.D.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The University of North
Dakota (UND) and NeoMatrix, LLC announced today that they have signed an
exclusive option agreement to develop an assay to aid in the early detection of
breast cancer.
The HALO® breast test is cleared globally for physicians and
is designed to help screen and assess breast cancer risk in women using
cytology.
Early detection of breast cancer is widely recognized as the
most effective strategy for successfully treating the disease. Both health and
economic outcomes are greatly improved when breast cancer is discovered in the
early stages of development. The UND technology is based on the detection of
cancer biomarkers in breast nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).
“Dr. Ed Sauter, UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
professor in the Department of Surgery, renowned for his research on NAF
constituents and their role in breast cancer prediction, and his team, find it
rewarding to begin collaborations with our partner NeoMatrix and its scientists
to help develop our technology,” said Michael Moore, UND associate vice
president for IP commercialization & economic development. “I want to
recognize Dr. Kumi Combs in my group for her work in putting this agreement and
relationship together. This option agreement sets the stage for further
development of the technology. We look forward to working with NeoMatrix and
sincerely hope we can be part of an important diagnostic technology and assay
for the early detection of breast cancer.”
Dr. Sauter said, “We identified a promising breast cancer
predictive marker panel through funding from the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). We needed a partner to take the next step toward practical application
in development of an assay. It is exciting to partner with NeoMatrix to
validate our panel, in the hopes of gaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approval and bringing it to clinical use.”
Ms. France Dixon Helfer, President and CEO of NeoMatrix,
LLC, said, “We are thrilled to be participating in this important collaborative
program with the world class personnel and facilities at University of North
Dakota School of Medicine. We concur with the University that this biomarker research
will open new doors in the early detection of breast cancer in women.”
About NeoMatrix, LLC
NeoMatrix develops solutions to promote optimal womens health, including the
HALO® Breast Pap Test and detection assays for breast cancer.
The HALO® Breast Pap Test is the first fully automated
noninvasive breast disease-screening device for use in physician offices. It is
FDA-cleared for the collection of nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) for cytological
evaluation. Like the Pap test for cervical cancer, HALO® looks for cellular
changes years before breast cancer is detectable by mammographic imaging. To
learn more about the test and locate a physician who offers it, visit
neomatrix.com or call (877) HALOPAP.
About the University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks,
a college town of 50,000 on the Red River of the North separating North Dakota and Minnesota.
The campus includes 223 buildings (more than 6 million square feet under roof)
on 550 acres.
The University of North Dakota is the states most
comprehensive intensive research university and the primary center for
professional education and training. Since 2001, the University has received
$890.6 million for sponsored programs from internal and external sources. In
fiscal year 2010, UND received $143.37 million for projects in areas such as
neuroscience, Unmanned Aerial Systems, vaccines, advanced electronics,
nanotechnology, high-tech coatings, and alternative fuels. UNDs total economic
impact on the state and region is more than $1 billion a year.
Founded by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six
years before statehood in North Dakota, UND was intended to be, and has
remained, a University with a strong liberal arts foundation surrounded by a
variety of professional and specialized programs. UND is one of only 47 public
universities in the nation with both accredited graduate schools of law and
medicine. It is admired for its spacious, beautiful campus and extensive
resources. The University has earned an international reputation for its
academic and research programs.
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT
