Pittsfield, Mass-based biomarker pioneer Nuclea Biotechnologies has formed a new long-term partnership with biopharmaceutical company Wilex, which could lead to more effective treatment management for women with metastatic breast cancer. The partnership aims to advance R&D of biomarkers, a vital component in the growing field of personalized medicine. 

In April, the clinical testing will begin in Nuclea’s newly designed, state of the art laboratory in Pittsfield, and will result in the addition of three new employees. The partnership between Nuclea and Wilex will allow oncologists greater access, through Nuclea’s laboratory, to the ELISA test to measure the HER-2/neu level in the serum portion of blood.

"Nuclea is excited about the new partnership," said Patrick J. Muraca, president and CEO of Nuclea. "Both companies seek to develop new biomarkers with the goal of making 21st century cancer treatments more personal and effective. With our combined experience in the production and commercialization of biomarkers, it seemed very natural for us to work together as pioneers in the field of breast cancer."

Olaf G. Wilhelm, CEO of Wilex, added, "Since Nuclea understands and focuses on gene and protein expression profiles in tumors, the serum HER-2 test is an important addition to their profiling efforts. Besides using our HER-2 ELISA in its CLIA lab, Nuclea will also start R&D and validation of this test in early breast cancer and possibly other indications."