University of Florida joins Xceed’s Strategic Collaborator program

As part of the collaboration, Xceed and the University of Florida will test approximately 700 samples from patients previously identified to have either cancerous or non-cancerous bladder tumors to verify that the expression signature is useful in distinguishing the two populations. Xceed will run the first 100 samples on the company’s Ziplex system in its expression-services laboratories in Toronto to optimize the performance of the signature on the Ziplex platform.

Xceed will work with primary researchers, Charles Rosser (Department of Urology) and Steve Goodison (Department of Surgery), to perform initial verification and validation of an expression signature to differentiate bladder cancer from other conditions using voided urine samples.

Xceed will also provide a Ziplex system to the university, where the study on the remaining samples will be completed. If the signature is successfully validated, Xceed and the University of Florida will continue to work together to pursue subsequent clinical testing to validate the signature for use in patient management.

David Deems, president and CEO of Xceed, said: “We are honored to work with the University of Florida on this important effort to find an earlier, more-effective way to diagnose and monitor this devastating disease.”