Champions Oncology, a company engaged in the development and sale of advanced technology solutions and products to personalize the development and use of oncology drugs, announced a collaboration with The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) to develop a novel cohort of PDX models in patients with ROS1 gene rearrangement. These models will further expand Champions' TumorGraft bank offerings in non-small cell lung cancer for translational oncology research for academic and industry customers. Champions' global infrastructure will be leveraged to support this multi-year program.

As a patient-driven initiative, ALCMI is an international study, with Champions Oncology contributing its extensive experience and global infrastructure, to support the establishment of patient derived xenograft models from patients with a ROS1 fusion. The unique cohort of PDX models can be used as a resource for clinical and translational research and support development of new therapies in patients with ROS1 positive cancer. The models established will have complete clinical and molecular annotation.

"Champions Oncology is pleased to partner with ALCMI for this patient-driven initiative to establish a unique cohort of models in ROS1 positive cancers," said Angela M. Davies, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Champions Oncology Inc.

"Champions and ALCMI are combining their respective infrastructure, expertise and scientific commitment to build PDX models in this rare subtype of cancer and make those models available to academic and industry researchers," Dr. Davies said. "This PDX resource will facilitate development of new therapies and understanding mechanisms of resistance in ROS1 cancers."

"We are pleased to partner with Champions Oncology, and the ROS1 patient community, to help advance our shared goal of new and more effective therapies for affected lung cancer patients everywhere, via the creation and distribution of these much-needed research and development models," said Steven Young, ALCMI President & COO.