New York, NY—September 27, 2016 — Glycotest, Inc. innovator Professor Anand Mehta, a leader in the development of glycoproteomic technologies for the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers, joins the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC, as the new SmartState Endowed Chair of Proteomic Biomarkers, the company announced today (see MUSC).
Mehta, whose work has resulted in 79 peer-reviewed published papers and the identification of over 50 patented biomarkers for the detection of curable early-stage liver cancer and other life threatening liver disease, received his DPhil degree in biochemistry from the University of Oxford. Utilizing the biomarkers identified in his lab, Mehta and his team have developed a diagnostic test, the HCC Panel currently being commercialized by Glycotest, that shows promise for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, with 90% sensitivity. On average, the five-year survival rate for liver cancer is only 18%, in part because biomarkers currently on the market are only able to detect liver cancer with approximately 50% sensitivity.
The Mehta laboratory developed a targeted glycoproteomics strategy to identify novel HCC biomarkers and subsequently developed new assay methods to measure these biomarkers in blood. In combination with standard clinical factors, Mehta’s biomarkers have enabled a better test to identify patients with curable early-stage liver cancer. Glycotest has licensed this technology and is in the process of commercializing Mehta’s unique liver cancer test. There currently are no effective blood tests available for the early detection of liver cancer. It is expected that this CLIA laboratory-based test will be recommended for patients considered at high-risk of liver cancer, such as individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver disease, and those with high volumes of alcohol consumption.
Glycotest, a NetScientific portfolio company, is a private liver disease diagnostics company commercializing new and unique blood tests for life threatening liver cancers and fibrosis-cirrhosis. Glycotest’s mission is to reduce mortality and increase survival for patients at risk from these life threatening diseases. Glycotest employs unique non-invasive blood tests based on proprietary serum biomarkers, biomarker panels and assay methodology that exploit novel sugar-based disease signal chemistry innovated by Professor Mehta.
Commenting on Professor Mehta’s appointment, Glycotest’s Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cohen said, “We congratulate Professor Mehta on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to continuing our collaboration together as Glycotest moves forward towards commercialization of our HCC Panel to detect curable, early-stage liver cancer.”
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About Glycotest, Inc.
Glycotest is a private liver disease diagnostics company commercializing novel clinical laboratory testing services for patients at risk for liver cancers and fibrosis–cirrhosis. The Company was founded in 2012 on proprietary technology that originated at the Philadelphia area institutions Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and Drexel University College of Medicine. Learn more at www.glycotest.com.
About NetScientific
NetScientific, the parent company of Glycotest, Inc., is a biomedical and healthcare technology group that funds and develops technologies that offer transformative benefits to society through improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Learn more at www.netscientific.net.
About Hollings Cancer Center
The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina is a National Cancer Institute- designated cancer center and the largest academic-based cancer research program in South Carolina. The cancer center is comprised of more than 120 faculty cancer scientists with a research funding portfolio of $44 million and a dedication to reducing the cancer burden in South Carolina. Hollings offers state-of- the-art diagnostic capabilities, therapies and surgical techniques within multidisciplinary clinics that include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, pathologists, psychologists and other specialists equipped for the full range of cancer care, including more than 200 clinical trials. For more information, please visit www.hollingscancercenter.org.
