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ALS study published in peer reviewed journal
ALS study published in peer reviewed journal.
About this update from Oxford Biodynamics Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 5316S Oxford BioDynamics PLC 26 June 2018 \n\n26 June 2018\n \nOxford BioDynamics Plc\n(\"OBD\" or the \"Company\" and, together with its subsidiaries, the \"Group\")\n \nStudy published in peer reviewed journal identifies EpiSwitch™ biomarker for the diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)\n \n· There is currently no definitive, clinically validated measure to diagnose ALS \n· Diagnosis of ALS could take on average one year following onset of symptoms\n· Epigenetic biomarkers represent a promising approach for definitive disease diagnosis, with the potential to improve patient outcomes\n· This represents a collaboration between Oxford BioDynamics, the University of Oxford, and Neurology Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School\n \nOxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM: OBD), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of epigenetic biomarkers based on regulatory genome architecture, for use within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, is pleased to note the publication of a paper in the peer reviewed journal EBioMedicine entitled: \"Initial Identification of a Blood-Based Chromosome Conformation Signature for Aiding in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis\".1 EBioMedicine is the open access arm of the Lancet and Cell Publishing Groups, dedicated to the subject of translational medicine.\n \nIn the study, OBD's EpiSwitch™ platform was used to compare the genomic architecture of healthy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient samples to discover an epigenetic biomarker, called a chromosomal conformation signature (CCS), with diagnostic potential in ALS. The study successfully yielded a distinct CCS biomarker that was diagnostic for ALS, demonstrating a highly promising, potential new approach to the diagnosis of this disease.\n \nALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterised by muscle weakness and eventual paralysis. There is currently no definitive, clinically validated measure to identify ALS. Doctors perform a series of exclusion tests which often leads to a significant delay in diagnosis, averaging one year from the onset of symptoms. ALS is a rapidly progressing disease therefo...