MBM and OCB launch ColoProg in China on March 7th 2018

Oxford developed prognostic assay for risk of post-surgical recurrence in Stage II colorectal cancer patients to be available throughout China

Oxford UK, and Shanghai China March 7th 2018 The launch of ColoProg represents a first for precision oncology in Greater China, signifying the ongoing success of the collaboration between Ningbo My-BioMed Biotechnology Co. Ltd (MBM) and Oxford Cancer Biomarkers Ltd (OCB), alongside Room4 Group Ltd (Room4). It brings a new era of access to precision oncology diagnostics across China and is the first in a suite of digital pathology technologies which will be brought to market in UK and China in the near future. The news comes barely 6 months after the announcement in August 2017 of the opening of the MBM / OCB joint collaborative labs in Ningbo Meishan and Oxford, which marked a milestone in the collective goal of bringing precision oncology diagnostic technology to the population of China and the world.

The ColoProg assay provides clinicians and patients with a stratified risk report of post-surgical recurrence in people with Stage II colorectal cancer. The assay utilises automated digital histo-pathology techniques to analyse malignant cell nuclei and tumour microenvironment to provide a personalised risk of recurrence. This information along with other relevant clinical data can be used to direct the subsequent patient treatment pathway; in particular the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. The direct clinical impact of ColoProg is to allow a clinician to stratify a patient’s personal risk of recurrence. Thus, sparing people at low risk from the challenges associated with chemotherapy and focussing resources on those at high risk where adjuvant chemotherapy is of benefit to improved patient outcomes.

Jackson Zhu, CEO of MBM commented, “Through the first precision medicine commercialisation platform in China, we are bringing world innovations to China. MBM’s collaboration with OCB to commercialise ColoProg represents our first and one of our most important programmes. I am very proud to announce that ColoProg will be launched in China on March 7th, 2018. A testament to the hard work, trust and seamless co-operation between the OCB and MBM teams. MBM’s professional medical and laboratory team is working with colorectal cancer specialists in hospitals across China to ensure that the ColoProg test can be optimally used for the benefit of patients.”

David Browning, CEO of OCB added “The MBM and OCB teams have demonstrated tremendous collaboration to bring ColoProg to the Greater Chinese market. This represents a significant milestone for both organisations. It has been achieved by bringing together complimentary customer insights, technology translation and validation skills with the potential to make a real difference to standards of care, commencing with colon cancer. The OCB team looks forward to working with MBM and our other partners to maximise the potential for ColoProg and to expedite the translation of this and our other precision medicine platforms to support people with other cancers.”

David Kerr, CMO of OCB commented, “This represents a great opportunity to bring an important test from Oxford to our Chinese colleagues. We know that colorectal cancer is an increasing problem in China and I am sure that ColoProg will be used wisely by my excellent medical colleagues to improve the quality of advice and treatment which we offer our colorectal cancer patients. I see this as the first step of many with our partners MBM to bring more of Oxford’s science to China.’’

More About ColoProg

The ColoProg test was clinically validated in a large-scale data set of 2624 tumour samples from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients recruited to the QUASAR 2 clinical trial and two large observational series from hospitals in Gloucester, UK and Oslo, Norway. Ploidy and stroma-tumour fraction were significantly prognostic in a multivariate model adjusted for age, adjuvant treatment, and pathological T-stage in Stage II patients (total number of samples 1029), and the combination of ploidy and stroma-tumour fraction was found to stratify these patients into three clinically useful groups; 5-year CSS (cancer specific survival) of 90% versus 83% versus 73% [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.77 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13–2.77) and HR = 2.95 (95% CI: 1.73–5.03), P < 0.001]. The ColoProg test was determined to have identified Stage II CRC patients with low, intermediate or high risk of CRC disease specific death, and reliably stratify clinically relevant patient sub-populations with differential risks of tumour recurrence which may support the choice of adjuvant therapy for these individuals. This study was published in Annals of Oncology in December 2017.

About Ningbo My-BioMed Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.

In pursuit of its vision of “Bridging World Innovation in Precision Medicine”, My-BioMed (MBM) is dedicated to providing personalised solutions to clinicians and patients, and to building an integrated commercialization platform for innovation. Supported by Ningbo Meishan’s Healthcare industry development strategy, MBM, established in May 2016, has attracted a group of talented individuals with experience across a range of disciplines including; business development, market access, clinical development, registration, clinical lab services, sales and marketing. Located at Ningbo Meishan Free Trade Port, My-BioMed Clinical Laboratory, MBM wholly owned subsidiary, will be certified and fully operational within this year.

Contact

Ningbo My-BioMed Biotechnology Co., Ltd
E-Mail:[email protected]
Jackson Zhu, CEO

About Oxford Cancer Biomarkers

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers translates ground-breaking scientific discovery into predictive biomarker diagnostic products that allow medicines to be personalised for the benefit of the cancer patient. Oxford Cancer Biomarkers is a spin-out of the University of Oxford and has strong links with the Medical Sciences Division in Oxford University. The company was founded by Nick La Thangue, Ph.D., Chair of Cancer Biology at Oxford University and David Kerr, CBE, D.Sc., M.D. FMedSci, Professor of Cancer Medicine at Oxford University. Investors in OCB include Longwall Venture Partners LLP, Esperante BV, Ningbo My-BioMed Biotechnology Co.,Ltd., CancerRop Co. Ltd., and the University.

For more information, please visit: http://www.oxfordcancerbiomarkers.com

Contact

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers Ltd

Tel:  +44 1865 784743

[email protected]