UKM, MIRXES TEAM UP TO DEVELOP BLOOD-BASED COLORECTAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION TEST

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), through its Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based  company Mirxes Pte Ltd to develop a blood-based early detection test for colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

UKM and Mirxes in a joint statement today said the current recommended screening test, immunochemical Faecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT), has low sensitivity towards early stages of colorectal cancer and is inconvenient, thus necessitating for a more accurate, convenient and accessible screening.

As such, the statement said the partnership will leverage on UMBI's expertise in cancer and molecular biology research, as well as Mirxes' proprietary technology and experience in the development and commercialisation of early cancer detection solutions. 

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"It will also utilise archived biospecimens from UMBI and The Malaysian Cohort Biobank, Southeast Asia's largest biobank, to identify biomarkers for an accurate and sensitive colorectal cancer early detection test.

"The MoU also includes staff exchange and training programmes for knowledge transfer between UKM and Mirxes, as well as the establishment of a joint laboratory for translational research and clinical testing," it said. 

According to both parties, this partnership also extends beyond the current focus on colorectal cancer, paving the way for the potential development and commercialisation of a wider range of made-in-Malaysia blood-based cancer early detection tests such as those for stomach and lung cancers.

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"These tests have the potential to generate significant revenue, estimated to reach RM400 million in the next five years," they said. 

Commenting on the partnership, UMBI Senior Principal Research Fellow and project leader Prof Datuk Dr A Rahman A Jamal in the same statement said the combined research expertise are set to make substantial progress in the fight against colorectal cancer with the development of a more effective and patient-friendly screening method for early detection, potentially saving many lives.

"This collaboration not only supports our mission to improve public health but also strengthens our efforts in the fight against colorectal cancer," he said.

Meanwhile, Mirxes co-founder and chief executive officer Dr Zhou Lihan said the company's collaboration with UKM will allow it to gain insight on critical unmet needs in Malaysian cancer screening and access to valuable patient cohorts for test development and validation.

"Malaysia is a key market for Mirxes, and we’re committed to co-developing and making accessible our portfolio of blood-based cancer early detection tests, starting with colorectal cancer.

"A strong and like-minded local partner is crucial for the deployment of our proprietary miRNA technology and commercialisation of novel cancer screening tests,” he said. 

Additionally, in the statement, UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman also indicated the national university's optimism that the research project will significantly contribute to the advancement of new knowledge in the field of cancer biology in the near future.

"Such innovations are crucial for improving cancer diagnosis and treatment, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

"At UKM, our mission as a national university is to ensure that the project we carry out is not only of the highest academic quality but also translates into real-world benefits for society and the nation," he said.

-- BERNAMA