Metabolon to identify biomarkers for multiple sclerosis

The terms of the contract awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a unit of the US Department of Health and Human Services, were not disclosed.

Metabolon uses metabolomics to discover biomarkers for drug development and for the early detection of diseases. By the company’s own admission, it has become a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using this method.

There is currently no known cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Evidence indicates that it is a complex disease resulting from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

Under the CDC contract, blood samples from a group of patients diagnosed with MS and exposed to environmental factors will be compared with blood samples taken from a group of healthy subjects exposed to similar conditions. Metabolon scientists will analyze the samples to identify disease biomarkers that indicate a metabolic difference between the two subject groups.

Results from this study could potentially lead to more effective diagnostics and treatments for the disease.

“Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease disabling young adults in the US,” said Dr John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Using metabolomics, we hope to find biomarkers that will determine a cause for the disease and that can be used to create a definitive diagnostic tool for MS.”

Metabolon estimates that more than 2.5 million people worldwide are affected by MS, with more than 400,000 diagnosed in the US each year.