OncoMethylome Sciences said it had entered into a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals to develop DNA methylation biomarkers for use in the personalization of cancer treatment with certain immunotherapeutics in development by GSK.

"We look forward to using our high-throughput platform to efficiently test our portfolio of methylation biomarkers on clinical samples provided by GSK Biologicals. We are pleased that GSK Biologicals has chosen OncoMethylome for this collaboration" commented Dr. Jim DiGuiseppi, chief technology officer, OncoMethylome.

The collaboration is supported by a Wallonia (BioWin) research grant that was announced in April of this year. Further financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Methylation is a natural control mechanism that regulates gene expression in DNA. Abnormal methylation of certain genes can silence gene expression and is associated with cancer development and response to cancer therapy. Genes whose methylation is linked to cancer are often called methylation biomarkers. Methylation biomarkers intended for use in companion diagnostics are associated with response to cancer drug therapy. OncoMethylome owns proprietary technology that is highly sensitive and capable detecting methylation biomarkers, and is also very suitable for testing these markers in a high-throughput manner on clinical samples.

OncoMethylome Sciences is a molecular diagnostics company developing gene methylation tests to assist physicians in effectively detecting and treating cancer. OncoMethylome boasts a broad product development pipeline consisting of ten products and a solid partnering record. The company collaborates with leading international molecular oncology research centres, such as The Johns Hopkins University, and has a number of commercial and collaborative partnerships with Veridex LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, Schering-Plough Corp., Millipore Corporation's BioScience Division, and EXACT Sciences Corp. OncoMethylome's products are based on methylation technology invented by Johns Hopkins University (USA).