Thermo Fisher Scientific opens new Biomarker Translational Center

The purpose of the BT Center is to accelerate mass spectrometry (MS)-based biomarker discovery research and its translation into the development of routine clinical assays for subsequent commercialization. Based in Cambridge, Mass., the BT Center combines advanced expertise from across Thermo Fisher including its B·R·A·H·M·S product line and the team at the Biomarkers Research Initiatives in Mass Spectrometry (BRIMS) Center.

“Through the vertical integration with the unique talent in MS-based biomarker discovery and high-throughput quantitative assay development at BRIMS, we aim to expand our pipeline of new protein and peptide biomarkers with potential as clinical assays,” said Bruno Darbouret, director of research and development for B·R·A·H·M·S Biomarkers at Thermo Fisher.

“Ultimately, this development effort will speed the commercialization of diagnostic tests that address life threatening diseases.”

Thermo Fisher, already a leading provider of specialty in-vitro diagnostic tests based on its patented Thermo Scientific B·R·A·H·M·S biomarkers, understands clinical market needs and will apply core strengths in diagnostics development, validation and commercialization to define the disease areas of focus for the BT Center. The company’s well-established relationships with clinical researchers will provide access to clinical partners and patient samples for biomarker discovery and validation studies using B·R·A·H·M·S Biomarkers.

For the disease areas chosen, the BRIMS Center will apply its competencies in quantitative MS biomarker discovery and multiplexed selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assay development to identify putative biomarkers and their clinically relevant isoforms. Subsequently it will develop robust, reproducible, targeted MS-based assays appropriate for the validation of putative biomarkers and ultimately for the clinical diagnostics market.

Thermo Fisher will own all intellectual property around the biomarkers and assays, and it will commercialize the assays as clinical diagnostic products and services after obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals.

“Efficient translation of MS-based biomarker discovery research into the development of routine clinical diagnostic assays is an important challenge in the field of personalized medicine,” said Bryan Krastins, group leader, BT Center. “Bridging this gap requires high-level competence in MS-based biomarker discovery and routine assay development for biomarker verification and validation. Understanding clinician and patient needs and having extensive experience in clinical validation are also essential to the transformation of novel tests into clinical routine assays. The new BT Center integrates all the capabilities needed to speed the clinical assay development pipeline from biomarker discovery to clinical assay development and validation.”

The Thermo Scientific B·R·A·H·M·S product line features a range of diagnostic test procedures to improve the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases, using patented biomarkers to bring about medically and economically superior diagnostic know-how for patients and users. Thermo Scientific B·R·A·H·M·S products are used in more than 60 countries around the world.

Located in Cambridge, Mass., the BRIMS Center develops methodologies and applications for protein biomarker identification and verification. Equipped with a full complement of Thermo Scientific mass spectrometers, and staffed by a team of scientists with expertise in mass spectrometry, protein techniques and informatics, the BRIMS Center also develops leading software tools for proteomic research.

For more information about Thermo Scientific solutions for proteomic research, please call +1 800-532-4742, email [email protected] or visit www.thermoscientific.com/ms.