Collaborating on anticancer target protein research via the ‘CTC platform,’ demonstrating strong technological credibility with global pharmaceutical firms
[by Kang, In Hyo] CTCELLS, a Korean liquid biopsy company, announced on November 14 that it has signed a research service agreement with the multinational pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo to conduct protein expression studies using circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
The study will employ CTCELLS' proprietary platform, ‘CTCeptor,’ to analyze the expression of specific proteins in rare circulating tumor cells found in the bloodstream and to monitor changes following drug treatment. The project aims to validate the potential of CTC-based technologies to sensitively detect subtle alterations in cancer cell protein expression, thereby raising expectations for future applications in precision medicine.
CTCELLS is recognized for its ability to isolate extremely small amounts of tumor cells from blood samples with high purity using its proprietary microfluidic continuous centrifugation (CCM) technology. This latest agreement represents one of the first cases in which a global pharmaceutical company has incorporated CTCELLS's CTC-analysis capabilities into the novel drug research stage, underscoring the potential for commercialization of a CTC-based platform for personalized anticancer drug evaluation.
“This project applies our company’s technology directly in the research and development (R&D) processes of a global pharmaceutical company, offering an important opportunity to demonstrate the research value and practical applicability of CTC analysis,” a CTCELLS official said. “We will continue to expand the CTC-based precision medicine research ecosystem through collaborations with a diverse range of global partners.”