CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
December 2013—Skuldtech, a genomic biomarker company, has secured EUR 1 million in funding from Bpifrance (French public financing structure) as part of a project on Alzheimer disease that has received funding of EUR 8.6 million in total. The program is scheduled to last four years, with the first results expected in 2018.
Skuldtech has joined forces with AB Science for this program, with the aim of developing a new therapy for Alzheimer disease. As part of the program, Skuldtech will develop a companion diagnostic for AB Science’s masitinib molecule and a diagnostic for the validity of cognitive tests and tests to predict the progression of the disease.
Using blood samples taken as part of the phase-three trial of masitinib in Alzheimer disease, Skuldtech will identify the blood biomarkers that will help make simple, reliable diagnostic tests available. The clinical trial of masitinib was launched in Europe and elsewhere in May. It is expected to recruit 400 patients. Blood samples from these patients will contribute to the development of a companion diagnostic by making it possible to identify those most likely to benefit from the treatment.
Skuldtech intends to use the funding to capitalize on its broadband sequencing-based technological platform, pairing it with proprietary bioinformatics and biostatistics programs to measure and confirm the stage of progression of Alzheimer disease.
Skuldtech, 33 (0) 467 419 748