TSEs

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a group of diseases believed to be caused by an abnormal form of the Prion protein, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and its variant form (vCJD) in humans, which is believed to be related to the consumption of meat contaminated with abnormal cattle prion, the cause of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cows. TSEs have been found in most mammalian species but BSE (200m cattle in the EU and US) and chronic wasting disease of deer and elk have the largest commercial potential, along with tests for CJD and vCJD in humans. Proteome Sciences has discovered blood biomarkers for screening of cattle with BSE and for blood transfusion screening and clinical diagnosis of CJD/vCJD.

Proteome Sciences has been actively studying both human and cattle TSEs for several years looking for biomarkers of disease, through a collaborative research programme with the University of Geneva. In particular, we have been successful in identifying a number of proteins in the blood of individuals with TSEs which previously have not been detectable, or are present in much lower amounts in samples from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases or healthy controls. This portfolio of markers offers the potential to develop highly sensitive and accurate blood tests for both human and cattle TSEs.

We firmly believe that such tests will have a major impact on human health by both ensuring diseased animals do not enter the human food chain, and by screening blood to ensure that the disease cannot be spread via transfusion or common surgical procedures.

Commercial Development

Proteome Sciences has licensed its non-prion biomarkers for veterinary TSEs to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. for the development of high sensitivity blood assays for testing for BSE in live animals. Current detection methods require brain tissue or spinal cord samples from slaughtered animals. The global market for live animal testing for BSE is expected to be significantly larger than the post mortem market currently valued at €105m and estimated to grow to €450m in the EU. These figures exclude any demand from the USA which has an estimated 100 million cattle population.

Work on biomarkers for CJD and vCJD is ongoing and Proteome Sciences has secured access, through collaboration with the UK Medical Research Council Prion Unit, to further samples from patients with a clinical diagnosis of CJD or vCJD which are particularly difficult to obtain. This arrangement ensures availability to validate the existing TSE markers and to widen the search for new and additional markers.

Partnering

All rights to TSE markers for veterinary applications have been licensed.

Rights to our existing markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of human forms of TSEs are available for out-licensing. These include biomarkers for screening blood transfusions and for live tests to diagnose CJD/vCJD in humans.