By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : May 23, 2023 2:21 pm
Acquisition enhances Freenome's product portfolio, including autoantibody platform with additional biomarkers important in cancer detection
Freenome, a privately held biotech company, has acquired Oncimmune Ltd, a UK-based global immunodiagnostics developer with a commercialized CE-IVD marked EarlyCDT Lung blood test, autoantibody platform and research and development pipeline of 7+ cancer detection signatures.
Oncimmune Ltd is a subsidiary of Oncimmune Holdings plc, a cancer immune-profiling company, with an advanced autoantibody profiling technology and database. EarlyCDT Lung is Oncimmune Ltd's commercialized CE-IVD marked lung blood test and detects elevated levels of autoantibodies generated by the body's immune system of patients in the earliest stages of lung cancer.
The acquisition of Oncimmune Ltd provides Freenome with clinical and commercial resources to complement Freenome's frontline screening efforts. Oncimmune Ltd's pipeline of autoantibody targets for other cancer indications will augment Freenome's multiomics platform with additional non-tumor-derived signals to capture a more comprehensive view of the tumor microenvironment.
Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to detect cancer in its earliest stages using a standard blood draw. The company is completing the FDA verification and validation studies for its colorectal cancer screening test through the PREEMPT CRC trial. In parallel, Freenome has applied its expertise in cancer detection and machine learning to real-world data to develop population health solutions for payers and providers to complement its blood tests and support the entire patient's care journey.
"The addition of Oncimmune Ltd assets, including a robust pipeline of autoantibody targets, positions Freenome to expand its existing multiomics platform capabilities with non-tumor derived signals and bolsters our tailored portfolio of screening tests for cancer detection. In addition, the growing clinical impact of EarlyCDT Lung, a commercialized autoantibody assay, strengthens Freenome's lung cancer detection capabilities," said Mike Nolan, CEO of Freenome. "This merger of expertise and technology fortifies Freenome's holistic approach to the early detection of multiple cancers and accelerates the timeline to bring our screening tests to the forefront of clinical care."
Freenome joins seven of the top 15 global pharma companies in leveraging Oncimmune's autoantibody discovery platform, ImmunoINSIGHTS, based in Dortmund, Germany, a powerful tool used to uncover meaningful insights and biomarkers for cancer and other diseases.
"Under Oncimmune's stewardship, EarlyCDT Lung was demonstrated to detect cancer earlier and save unnecessary loss of life. By joining forces with Freenome, we will unlock the full potential of the EarlyCDT portfolio, ultimately transforming how cancer is first detected and diagnosed, saving many more lives," said Dr. Adam M. Hill, CEO of Oncimmune.