Tests based on biomarker research could have a profound impact on the management of MS by increasing the ability of physicians to measure their patient’s level of disease activity and improve pharmaceutical treatment. MS is the most common neurological disease in the world in people of young age, affecting approximately 350,000 people in the US alone.
Biomarkers of disease activity can also play an important role in advancing drug discovery and development by allowing researchers to perform much smaller, shorter, and lower-cost studies in comparison to studies that rely on conventional clinical observations. Additionally, MS-related biomarkers may help to better elucidate the mechanisms involved in MS susceptibility and progression.
Under the terms of the agreement between the parties, MSRCNY will provide project expertise, certain analytical capabilities, and clinical patient samples for use by BG Medicine for the discovery, development, validation, and subsequent commercialization of clinical biomarkers in exchange for certain payments from BG Medicine.