Biomira Inc and Phenomenome Discoveries Inc signed a collaboration agreement whereby Phenomenome Discoveries will perform DISCOVAmetrics comprehensive metabolome analysis for the purposes of discovering markers for efficacy of cancer treatments.

"We are excited about the synergies in this collaboration, which will allow us to validate previously discovered cancer biomarkers, while simultaneously providing Biomira with the ability to correlate metabolomic profiles of patients receiving therapeutic interventions with their clinical endpoints," said Shawn Ritchie, senior scientist, Oncology at Phenomenome.

"From Biomira's perspective, metabolomics shows great potential for shortening clinical trial timelines and reducing the costs related to clinical trials," said Alex McPherson, president and CEO of Biomira. He added, "It is important technology in the identification of cancer markers and this technology has the potential to become an integral piece in the design of future Biomira trials. For instance, it might one day give us the ability to screen patients for a marker that would indicate that they would respond to our therapy."

Biomira is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer management. Biomira currently focuses on the development of synthetic vaccines and novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy.