The platform enables a research strategy that uses Kiyatec's capacity to correctly dissociate and characterise primary patient tissues and precisely assess therapeutic efficacy across different downstream assays
AstraZeneca’s headquarters in Cambridge, UK. (Credit: D Wells from Wikimedia Commons)
Precision oncology companies Kiyatec and AstraZeneca have signed a multifaceted research agreement to assess the therapeutic efficacy of undisclosed preclinical assets using the former’s 3D spheroid screening platform, KIYA-Predict.
Kiyatec’s proprietary spheroid platform uses primary human tumour tissues.
The platform enables a research strategy that uses the company’s capacity to correctly dissociate and characterise primary patient tissues and precisely assess therapeutic efficacy across different downstream assays.
According to Kiyatec, research has shown and published a strong link between platform-generated results and clinical outcomes.
Functional precision medicine platforms like Kiyatec’s can help to give key translational oncology data that supports clinical candidate selection.
Additionally, the data also helps to prevent efficacy failures later in the clinic by utilising established clinical correlation.
Kiyatec chief scientific officer Tessa DesRochers said: “We are excited to provide a service that will help de-risk AstraZeneca’s numerous drug assets as they move towards clinical applications.
“This collaboration takes advantage of our well-validated platforms along with our recent expansion.”
The agreement to use Kiyatec’s spheroid platform is in line with AstraZeneca’s position and track record of effectively integrating advanced oncology solutions with outside partners to develop and successfully market new cancer medicines.
The precision oncology firm said that this kind of research collaboration serves as a role model for the oncology community by fusing important initiatives to lessen or prevent clinic failures due to a lack of accurate translational models.
Platforms like KIYA-Predict, which can provide a high level of clinical correlations, are effective tools for all therapy modalities to ensure precise translational efficacy, Kiyatec added.
The deal with UK-based AstraZeneca represents Kiyatec’s commitment to supporting the former’s oncology programmes.
This will also help the firm to get more recognition in functional precision medicine in the field of translational oncology drug discovery.
Recently, Kiyatec received a new investment from the venture philanthropy arms of two brain tumour patient organisations.