PamGene International B.V., a biomarker services company focused on the development of blood-based immunotherapy selection tests, and Sanquin, the not-for-profit blood services provider in the Netherlands, today announced the extension of their research collaboration. The collaboration is working to enhance the development of PamGene’s IOpener® blood-based diagnostic test to predict immunotherapy response in cancer patients. The collaboration leverages Sanquin’s ample experience to optimize the IOpener®’s blood sampling and logistical processes.
Since 2016, PamGene and Sanquin, together with several clinical centers in the Netherlands including the Erasmus University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center, are collaborating on the development of a blood-based kinase activity profiling assay, named IOpener®, as a predictor of response to immunotherapy in metastatic cancer.[1] Although immunotherapy can be highly effective and have long-lasting health effects, only a minority of cancer patients can respond and benefit from this therapy. The IOpener test will thus support physicians in treatment decisions for their patients.
Rik de Wijn, PamGene’s Head of Diagnostic Assay Services Laboratory, highlights the importance of the extended collaboration agreement with Sanquin. “Sanquin provides services such as isolation of high-quality peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood samples of cancer patients eligible for immunotherapy, which is a fundamental element of our ongoing clinical studies. Next to being the Dutch institute for blood products and services, Sanquin is an excellent research partner and I am very pleased with the expansion of our collaboration. Combining both organization’s knowledge and experience in blood sampling and diagnostic development enables us to take significant steps towards further optimization of the IOpener diagnostic workflow.”
“At Sanquin, we have the flexibility and knowledge to provide a broad range of services that support research and development. In this way, together with the Dutch blood bank donors, we can contribute to PamGene’s mission to provide better solutions for patients,” explains Annelies Turksma, Head of Laboratory at Sanquin Immunomonitoring Services.
[1] Hurkmans D.P. et al, J Immunother Cancer. 2020. Based on these proof-of-concept studies, prospective clinical trials studies have been set up to develop the in-vitro diagnostic test IOpener®
More information and contact
– PamGene: www.pamgene.com – Rinie van Beuningen – +31 736 158 080 – IOpener@pamgene.com
– Sanquin: www.sanquin.com – Marloes Metaal – Public Affairs – +316 2269 2445 – m.metaal@sanquin.nl
About Sanquin
Sanquin ensures the safe and efficient production and delivery of blood, cell and plasma products for the treatment of patients. In addition, Sanquin offers complex diagnostics and reagents, and high-quality scientific research and education with a focus on transfusion medicine, hematology, oncology and immunology. From the site of the New West Health & Innovation District around Sanquin’s head office in Amsterdam, Sanquin also offers a platform for companies and organizations that work in the above areas. All with a focus on better health for patients.
About IOpener® – A liquid biopsy immunotherapy treatment selection test that improves lives
The IOpener® is a blood-based diagnostic test that supports immunotherapy treatment selection. This peptide microarray-based test measures the activity of kinases in peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolated from a single tube of blood from a patient to determine the likelihood of responding to immunotherapy. The test’s technology is based on 20 years of experience in measuring and interpreting kinase activity to support academic and clinical research. The IOpener® test is an in-house developed test that will be performed in PamGene’s ISO 13485:2016 certified laboratory. The IOpener® is in the final phase of clinical validation for CE-IVD certification.
About PamGene
PamGene International B.V. is an in-vitro diagnostics company which has recently intensified its efforts to develop and commercialize a blood-based immunotherapy selection test, the IOpener®, to improve patient lives. The company’s kinase-activity profiling technology and proprietary software algorithms support clinicians in their treatment decisions using the IOpener® assay. PamGene’s robust and unique peptide microarray technology for multiplex kinase-activity profiling is also used to provide dedicated assay services for patient stratification for clinical trials, biomarker discovery and mechanistic insights in cellular processes needed to understand human diseases. PamGene was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.