Repositive, a software company developing novel tools to improve access to human genomic research data, is launching a consortium project in collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop a collaborative, pre-competitive resource, to provide streamlined discovery and access to molecular data from Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) for use within oncology research.

The consortium project was inspired by an idea submitted to the Pistoia Alliance, via their IP3 platform a global, not-for-profit alliance of life science companies, vendors, publishers, and academic groups dedicated to improving global life sciences research and development. Repositive and AstraZeneca are inviting Pistoia Alliance members and other interested organisations to join the collaborative project as partners in developing the pre-competitive PDX resource.

Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) are derived by direct implantation of cancerous tissue from a patient into an immunodeficient mouse. They harbour advantages over cancer cell line derived xenografts since the tumors have not been exposed to the selective pressures, stimuli, damage and genetic evolution resulting from the cell culturing process. As a result PDX’s better maintain the heterogeneity and structure of the original patient tumor, and therefore experimental results and drug responses are more directly translatable to the clinic.

The consortium will use the Repositive platform, a purpose built platform to improve access to human genomic data, alongside AstraZeneca’s knowledge and expertise in oncology. The consortium is looking for additional industrial and academic partners to provide improved data and develop new tools for use in improving oncology research.

Jonathan Dry, principal scientist, AstraZeneca Oncology iMed, said, “This pre-competitive resource will increase the efficiency with which our scientists can search the world’s providers of PDX models to find the best for their research.”

Fiona Nielsen, CEO of Repositive said, “We are happy to apply the Repositive skills in data sourcing and web application development to such immediate beneficial effects to the consortium partners. Users of the Repositive platform can quickly and easily access human genomic data from a wide range of sources, making it ideal for improving data discovery and access.”

PDX consortium partners will benefit from early access to the resource and tools as they are being developed, and the features and data availability on the resource will be prioritised according to the needs of the consortium members. Opportunities to extend the resource to immuno-competent tumor models can also be explored.

To join as a consortium partner, on these beneficial terms, prospective partners must express their interest with Repositive, before September 30th.