- Sienna Cancer Diagnostics (SDX) has entered a global licence agreement with the University of Adelaide to develop a unique cancer probe called SubB2M
- SubB2M is a protein that binds to a sugar molecule that is only present in human cancers
- Sienna and its collaboration partners will provide the necessary data to commercialise cancer screening and diagnostic assays
- The company believes the technology could radically improve how cancer is detected and diagnosed
- Company shares closed 12 per cent in the green, trading for 5.6 cents each
Sienna Cancer Diagnostics (SDX) has entered an exclusive global licence agreement with the University of Adelaide to develop a unique cancer probe called SubB2M.
SubB2M is a protein that binds to a unique sugar molecule only present in human cancers and can detect its presence in the serum of cancer patients.
So far, pilot clinical studies have painted a promising picture for SubB2M as the protein has reportedly detected cancers with 100 per cent sensitivity and specificity for mid to late-stage cancers, and over 95 per cent specificity and 100 per cent sensitivity for early-stage cancers.
There is also evidence that the cancer-specific sugar is present in a wide range of solid human tumours and can be detected in serum using SubB2M.
“We believe that this technology could radically improve how cancer is detected and diagnosed,” Sienna CEO Carl Stubbings said.
“The SubB2M protein is compatible with a wide range of cancer detection chemistries and assays, including with our SIEN-NETs to enhance circulating tumour cell binding and detection with no interference from non-cancer cell,” Carl added.
The licence will see Sienna collaborate with the University of Adelaide and Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics to provide the necessary data to commercialise cancer screening and diagnostic assays based on SubB2M.
The first stage will focus on developing a liquid biopsy assay for cancer screening and monitoring suitable for use in hospital pathology laboratories. The company expects this will take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Sienna believes SubB2M is superior to any other pan-cancer biomarker on the market. This might be the case as current standard products are time consuming, expensive and have very low sensitivity.
According to a Market Research Future 2019 report, the global circulating tumour cell market is expected US$28.3 billion (approx. A$44.5 billion) by 2023.
“We are pleased to be working with Sienna to transform the global cancer diagnostics field and to address the unmet need for effective tools to support the early detection and stage progression of a range of cancers,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President at the University of Adelaide Professor Anton Middelberg said.
Company shares closed 12 per cent in the green, trading for 5.6 cents each.