This project will validate two minimally invasive biomarkers for ALS: MMP-9 and TIMP-1.
LifeArc and the ALS Therapeutic Development Institute (ALS TDI) have partnered to identify, validate and develop novel clinical tools for prognosis and drug development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease (MND).
As part of LifeArc’s MND Translational Challenge, the project will run for two years and focus on validating two minimally invasive biomarkers for ALS through ALS Research Collaborative (ARC) studies.
Affecting up to 5,000 adults in the UK, MND is a rare disease that affects the brain and nerves.
ALS is the most deadly form of MND and is a neurological disorder that affects motor neurons and nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Under the terms of the collaboration, LifeArc will have an exclusive option to further develop the project results.
Through the ARC study, the ALS TDI obtained longitudinal serum and plasma samples from ALS patients, which will be processed to assess protein levels of two minimally invasive ALS biomarkers, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, as well as 7,000 other protein analytes.
Supported by LifeArc’s data science team, the project aims to correlate levels of these biomarkers with longitudinal and cross-sectional clinical data and develop ELISA kits for use in prognosis and disease monitoring in both clinical and research settings.
Analyzing protein levels of these two minimally invasive biomarkers of ALS, along with other clinical data, will allow the research team to determine the utility of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, as well as other protein analytes.
Dr Manuela Cerin, Scientific Director of Neurodegeneration at LifeArc, commented: “Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for MND/ALS are necessary tools in patient care and will provide important insights for clinical research and drug development.”
“By leveraging our extensive clinical data and biosample resources through the ARC Study and combining it with LifeArc’s translational science and diagnostic expertise, we aim to significantly advance our understanding of ALS prognosis and disease monitoring,” said Fernando Vieira, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of ALS TDI.
