Breast Cancer Detection - HER-2 Positive

Identifier: KD01GGX

The invention

HER-2 is a gene involved in how breast cells grow, divide and repeat themselves. When the HER-2 gene is abnormal, breast cancers tend to grow faster, are more likely to spread and tend to recur (very aggressive). HER-2 positive breast cancers can be treated with specific medicines so detecting them accurately ensures the best treatment for the patient.

Novelty  

The test has the following advantages when compared to the state of the art:

• elimination of ambiguous results - 100% certainty of detecting the biomarkers 
• minimal biopsy material needed (50ng)
• ability to analyse degraded material 
• faster processing time
• final test can be priced at same or lower price as current tests.

Applications / Industries 

The test can be used to determine the presence of HER-2 Positive breast cancer. This may either replace or complement the current gold standard FISH test.

The technology can also be used to analyse archival patient material for research purposes.

Development status 

The test method was developed and has been tested on 700 patient samples, giving reproducible results with correlation (R2) values of 0.97-0.999 (fit with statistical model). 

Intellectual Property status

The patent has an international filing with application number PCT/EP2019/053733 was filed on 14th February 2019. Patent has been taken to National Phase, specifically in the EU territory.

Commercial interest

We are looking for potential licensees and collaborators to develop a final product for commercialisation.

Lead originator

Professor Godfrey Grech

Other information

Supported through the TAKEOFF Seed Fund Award 2016

Supported through the Malta Council for Science & Technology's FUSION Programme 2016, project number R&I-2016-006-V.

Interested?
Contact Marie Mifsud or the Knowledge Transfer Office.