During the collaboration the researchers will combine Ciphergen’s biomarker discovery and diagnostic process with the university’s clinical expertise. As part of the collaboration, Ciphergen receives exclusive rights to license discoveries made during the agreement.
“This agreement allows us to expand our current research in oncology by working with Doctor van Nagell and his colleagues,” said Gail Page, president and COO of Ciphergen. “The University of Kentucky is a major referral center for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. We are very pleased to be collaborating in our mutual goal to develop novel diagnostics in the field of ovarian cancer.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Ciphergen will provide its suite of proteomic solutions (Deep Proteome, Pattern Track Process and ProteinChip System) designed for biomarker discovery and development of assays, to analyze clinical samples collected at University of Kentucky Healthcare. Researchers will analyze patients’ tumor cyst fluid and blood, looking for specific proteins to differentiate malignant from benign ovarian conditions.