Repositive, a software company developing novel tools to improve access to human genomic research data, is launching a consortium project in collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop a collaborative, pre-competitive resource to provide streamlined discovery and access to molecular data from Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) for use within oncology research. 

The consortium project was inspired by an idea submitted to the Pistoia Alliance, via their IP3 platform a global, not-for-profit alliance of life science companies, vendors, publishers, and academic groups dedicated to improving global life sciences research and development. Repositive and AstraZeneca are inviting Pistoia Alliance members and other interested organizations to join the collaborative project as partners in developing the pre-competitive PDX resource. 

Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) are derived by direct implantation of cancerous tissue from a patient into an immunodeficient mouse. They harbor advantages over cancer cell line derived xenografts since the tumors have not been exposed to the selective pressures, stimuli, damage and genetic evolution resulting from the cell culturing process. As a result PDX’s better maintain the heterogeneity and structure of the original patient tumor, and therefore experimental results and drug responses are more directly translatable to the clinic.

The consortium will use the Repositive platform, a purpose built platform to improve access to human genomic data, alongside AstraZeneca’s knowledge and expertise in oncology. The consortium is looking for additional industrial and academic partners to provide improved data and develop new tools for use in improving oncology research.

Fiona Nielsen, CEO of Repositive, said, “We are happy to apply the Repositive skills in data sourcing and web application development to such immediate beneficial effects to the consortium partners. Users of the Repositive platform can quickly and easily access human genomic data from a wide range of sources, making it ideal for improving data discovery and access.”

PDX consortium partners will benefit from early access to the resource and tools as they are being developed, and the features and data availability on the resource will be prioritized according to the needs of the consortium members. Opportunities to extend the resource to immuno-competent tumor models can also be explored.