Berg, Medical University of South Carolina collaborate to identify lupus biomarkers

Under the deal, Berg’s Interrogative Biology platform will be applied to several serum, urine, and kidney data points from select individuals, both lupus patients and controls followed in the Medical University of South Carolina rheumatology clinics.

The deal will also analyze the disease pathophysiology using the metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics data from tissue samples, expanding the search for a biomarker to predict the onset and progression of Lupus.

According to the company, existing Lupus therapies are effective for about half of all patients, but these treatments only partially control the disease and often lead to harmful side-effects including infertility, infection and cardiovascular disease.

The company’s Interrogative Biology platform will be applied to the Medical University of South Carolina’s samples to identify previously undiscovered biomarkers, which can be used to create safer, personalized medicine.

Berg co-founder, president and chief technology officer Niven Narain said the partnership allows the company to expand and accelerate the search for Lupus biomarkers.

"Relatively little is known about the disease and, with help from the Medical University of South Carolina, we should be in a position to make some exciting progress in the next two or three years," Narain said.

"We’re looking to uncover actionable insights, leading to the identification of new targets and, ultimately, the development of more patient-friendly, personalized therapies."

Lupus causes a number of critical chronic conditions which include arthritis, skin rash and kidney disease.

Medical University of South Carolina professor of Medicine and director of the Lupus Research Group Gary Gilkeson said Lupus presents a variety of health concerns and complications, ranging from arthritis to renal failure and whilst drugs exist, they are only partially effective for about half the patients.

"Combining Berg’s platform with our database and expertise puts us in a greater position to better understand this complex disease. What we learn through this partnership should help provide tailored drug therapies to positively impact the lives of more patients," Gilkeson said .

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting one in every 2,000 people and one in every 250 young African American women.