Chipscreen Biosciences Co., Ltd. and Novogene Co., Ltd. recently announced a strategic partnership for companion diagnostics (CDx) development. Under the agreement, Novogene will develop a CDx for Chipscreen's anti-tumor drug candidate Chiauranib (CS2164), and will provide molecular testing services during Chipscreen's clinical trials on Chiauranib.

Chiauranib is a multi-kinase inhibitor designed and developed by Chipscreen to target several novel molecules in three signaling pathways. Its anti-tumor effects stem from the simultaneous inhibition of angiogenesis and mitosis as well as the modification of the tumor microenvironment. According to the agreement, Chipscreen will leverage Novogene's professional CDx development team and its CAP-accredited lab in Tianjin, China, to accelerate the clinical development of Chiauranib. "The collaboration between Chipscreen and Novogene will help select the right patients for the clinical development of Chiauranib in several tumor types, including ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma." Said Dr. Zhiqiang Ning, Executive Vice President of Chipscreen, "In the US and many European countries, the co-development of innovative therapeutics and companion diagnostics is already a common practice because it has proven to increase the efficiency and success rate of drug development. We really hope our partnership with Novogene will help implement this idea and practice in China to benefit more patients faster."

CDx not only increases the efficiency and success rate of drug development, but also makes treatment more personalized and effective. This is particularly important in the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in oncology. "Novogene offers a one-stop-shop molecular CDx development platform, has the experience of successfully developing and registering oncology in vitro diagnostics in China and operates a diagnostics sales network that covers the entire domestic market. We are thus perfectly positioned to provide pharma partners with comprehensive, value-added CDx services." Said Dr. Jeff Cheng, Chief Scientific Officer of Novogene, "This partnership between two companies that are each leading player in their own field is an exciting joint effort on the orchestrated development, registration and commercialization of an innovative targeted therapy and its CDx in China."