Bristol-Myers, Nordic Bioscience To Develop Fibrosis Biomarker Technology

(RTTNews) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) announced Monday a collaboration agreement with Danish Biotech company Nordic Bioscience to develop biomarker technology to potentially aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of fibrotic diseases including Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH.

A biomarker is a molecule that may be used to diagnose a disease, or predict disease progression and indicate response to therapy.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Nordic Bioscience will collaborate in the development of translational biomarkers and diagnostics for the evaluation of NASH in pre-clinical models of fibrotic diseases and in clinical settings.

Fibrotic diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation that leads to excess collagen deposition and scar formation in an organ or tissue.

Mike Burgess, head of Cardiovascular, Fibrosis and Immunoscience Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, said, "Addressing the significant need for better diagnostic and monitoring tools in fibrotic diseases is a key element of Bristol-Myers Squibb's fibrosis strategy to help patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. We continue to invest in innovative approaches to develop more precise methods to diagnose disease and monitor progression and we are pleased to partner with Nordic Bioscience and leverage their vast experience in biomarker development."