Gap is partnering with Spear Bio on Bio-Hermes-002, an Alzheimer’s study comparing blood and digital biomarkers across cognitive conditions.
The observational platform study compares blood-based and digital biomarkers (measurable signs in blood or behaviour) across a broad range of cognitive conditions, alongside MRI and PET brain scans and diverse racial and ethnic groups, to generate data that may help predict, detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
The study gathers data on how each biomarker, or combinations of biomarkers, perform in assessing, diagnosing or predicting pathologies linked to Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including amyloid and tau in the brain.
Amyloid plaques and tau tangles are abnormal protein deposits and are hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease.
John Dwyer, president of GAP, said: “We’re proud to have Spear Bio as a valued partner in the Bio-Hermes-002 study.
“Their technology platform is consistent with our goal to catalyse and scale early-stage disease diagnostics and monitoring, therby transforming how we treat patients and conduct clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
“By advancing biomarker detection, we hope to accelerate meaningful progress for individuals and families affected by these conditions.”
In Bio-Hermes-002, Spear Bio will provide results of blood-based biomarker analysis using its SPEAR UltraDetect assay platform, which the company says offers attomolar sensitivity from a one microlitre diluted sample, and what it describes as superior specificity in a homogenous wash-free format, aiming to change early-stage diagnostics and monitoring.
This builds on findings from Bio-Hermes-001.
Data from Bio-Hermes-002 will be stored on the AD Workbench from the Gates Ventures Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative (ADDI).
The AD Workbench is a global, secure, cloud-based data sharing and analytics environment that enables researchers worldwide to share, access and analyse data across multiple platforms.
Spear Bio joins industry partners in the study, including Biogen, Eli Lilly and Company, IXICO and Roche, along with a growing list of partners providing blood-based biomarker assessments or digital assessments for Bio-Hermes-002.
To date, the partners include AINOSTICS, Alamar Biosciences, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Cambridge Cognition Limited, Cognivue, Cumulus Neuroscience Limited, Fujirebio, iLoF, LifeArc, Linus Health, Lucent Diagnostics, a Quanterix brand, Sunbird Bio and ViewMind.
