DynaLIFE Accelerator Lab welcomes new partner and leading-edge cancer screening technology in Edmonton.
DynaLIFE and Metabolomic Technologies Inc. (MTI) today unveiled a new state-of-the art clinical space in Edmonton enabling the assessment of an innovative new test for Albertans in the detection and prevention of colorectal cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and the second and third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women.
“Over the last few months, DynaLIFE has been working closely with MTI and their flagship product, PolypDx™ with the aim to provide doctors with this exceptional new tool for early screening and detection enabling the timely removal of polyps before they progress to colorectal cancer,” says Jason Pincock, Chief Executive Officer of DynaLIFE. “Partnering with MTI was a natural fit for DynaLIFE as we immediately recognized the value of incorporating this innovative diagnostic technology.”
The next phase in assessing this test is to engage expert physicians, clinicians, patients and laboratory specialists to assess colorectal cancer screening in patients in five regions located throughout Alberta. While this test is in an assessment phase and not available to all Alberta patients at this time, it demonstrates the central role research, innovation and development plays that ultimately affects patient care and further advances treatment and diagnosis of disease.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Public Laboratories (APL) are also key partners in the important development and validation work for the assessment of the PolypDx™ test, and most recently the clinical trials.
Dr. Clarence Wong, Medical Director of the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program with AHS, sees this strategy as a great option for Albertans who require screening and live in the more remote areas of our province. “Research into innovative screening modalities, besides the current standard Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), has always been part of the mandate of the provincial program. PolypDx is a homegrown, viable technology that may meet the needs of those more isolated and harder to reach patients. It’s quick, easy and can truly save your life.”
PolypDx™ is the first and only urine test for the detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. Clinically validated in two 1000-patient trials in Canada and China, PolypDx™ is a metabolomics- based screening test using Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology. The patented test is based on the analysis of key metabolomic biomarkers in urine and was developed as an alternative to current colorectal cancer screening methods.
This past October, MTI announced they would begin assessing a new colorectal cancer screening strategy in Alberta using PolypDx™ with funding from Alberta Innovates. A national working group of key provincial and national leaders in colorectal cancer screening will assess the results of this screening strategy for use throughout Canada.
“We developed this nexgen health technology right here in Edmonton so it was fitting to partner with DynaLIFE to be able to find a home for this vital technology” says Dr. David Chang, Chief Executive Officer for MTI. “With a dedicated space in DynaLIFE’s Accelerator Lab in their central 110,000 square foot facility in Edmonton, it not only provides us access to first-class laboratory infrastructure, but most importantly is that this partnership with DynaLIFE furthers our goals for PolypDx™ as MTI advances the test from the research lab to assessment by AHS as a potential future tool in colorectal cancer screening.
Established in 2010 as a spin-off from the University of Alberta, MTI specializes in metabolomics- based diagnostics for the healthcare market. Since its inception, the locally-based Canadian company has garnered international recognition collecting the 2014 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation Leadership, the 2017 Outstanding Leadership in Technology Award from the ASTech Foundation and a finalist placing at the 2017 Falling Walls Venture in Berlin.
“The commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship demonstrated by DynaLIFE and MTI further solidifies our reputation as a leader in health care innovation,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “This partnership will ensure better health outcomes for Albertan’s with colorectal cancer.”
MTI’s dedicated lab facility within DynaLIFE’s Accelerator Lab is now home to a new mass spectrometry instrument dedicated to support urine-based testing for colorectal cancer and its precursors – adenomatous polyps.
“DynaLIFE is a firm believer in the transformative power of health innovation and leadership,” adds Pincock. “We are proud to support health breakthroughs that will have a direct impact on patient outcomes and precious health care resources. And this timely partnership with MTI gives us the opportunity to scale our technology platform and to explore other novel diagnostic health care solutions that will benefit Albertans.”