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Urinary marker for bladder cancer detection

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20181106001
Publication Date: 6 November 2018

Summary

At a Bavarian Research Institute in the South of Germany a new biomarker for the detection of urothelial bladder cancer (UCB) has been developed. The biomarker is based on a focal adhesion protein and is detected in voided urine sediment of patients.  The inventors are now looking for company support for further clinical validation and to bring the marker into the market. They want to enter into a research cooperation -, technical cooperation - and license agreement.

Description

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is the most common genitourinary cancer. Diagnosis of UCB currently relies on cystoscopy and urine cytology. Both examination methods have limitations. Urethrocystoscopy is expensive, invasive, and associated with postcystoscopy pain and/or risk of urinary infection. Cystoscopy has tendency to miss flat lesions, such as carcinoma in situ, while urine cytology is prone to missing well-differentiated low-grad lesions. Due to the high recurrence rate patients require regular follow-up examinations, currently done by cystoscopy.

The new biomarker developed at a Bavarian Research Institute is based on the focal adhesion protein LIM and SH3 (LASP)-1 protein which is involved in numerous biological and pathological processes and has been linked to the oncogenesis of bladder cancer. The protein is detected in voided urine sediment of bladder cancer patients and is described as a promising new marker to detect UCB that overcomes the limitations of the current diagnostic tests. 

For further clinical validation of this method a research cooperation - or technical cooperation agreement are sought. Furthermore it is planned to bring this marker into the market, therefore they want to enter into a license agreement.

Advantages and Innovations

• Convenient marker for detection and especially follow-up examination of UCB

• Simply detectable in spontaneously voided urine

• Patient-friendly (non-invasive)

• Strong IP position (granted patents in the 4 main markets)

• Combinable with a second marker to further raise specificity/sensitivity

Stage Of Development

Under development/lab tested

Stage Of Development Comment

• The diagnostic accuracy of LASP1 detection was confirmed in a cohort of 246 patients

• Cut-off values were determined to handle erythrocyte/leukocyte contamination (although in

follow-up studies hematuria/leukocyturia rarely occurs)

• A protocol for sample shipment was established

• Antibody for LASP1 detection is available

Requested partner

To bring the biomarker to the market it needs to be further clinically validated. Therefore the inventors are looking for support by a company with flexibility regarding the partnership/agreement.