Exonhit has entered into a research agreement with Pfizer for the identification of new Alzheimer's disease biomarkers using Exonhit's Genome-Wide SpliceArray (GWSA) platform.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will jointly conduct a pilot study using Exonhit's GWSA platform to gain insight on AD molecular markers associated with clinical parameters. More specifically, the purpose of the research work is to seek to identify progression and other biomarkers that could segregate healthy elderly controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and patients with AD. Test samples for the study will be provided by Pfizer from a number of subjects in each of these three groups over a period of time.

Dr. Aidan Power, vice president and head of pharma therapeutics precision medicine at Pfizer, said: "Pfizer is committed to making a number of investments to evaluate technology platforms with the potential to identify new biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Our collaboration with ExonHit is one such example of this commitment. The discovery and validation of new AD biomarkers is important for Pfizer's effort to bring forward new treatment options for Alzheimer's patients as well as for the development of improved diagnostics."