IXICO PLC (LSE:IXI, OTC:PHYOF), the London-based brain imaging company, has expanded its partnership with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP) in a deal that gives it access to one of the world’s largest Alzheimer’s biomarker datasets.
The company said on Tuesday it had secured full data usage rights for GAP’s Bio-Hermes-002 study, an influential research programme aimed at speeding up the use of new Alzheimer’s biomarkers in clinical trials.
The agreement, which includes a mix of cash payments and analysis services provided by IXICO to GAP, is expected to deliver a strong return on investment.
Specifically, it will allow IXICO to accelerate development of its vascular biomarker research, which aims to identify changes in the brain’s blood vessels that may signal the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
It will also support IXICO’s efforts to expand its services into the emerging field of blood-based biomarkers, tests that detect disease using samples from blood rather than through costly brain scans or spinal fluid.
GAP’s Bio-Hermes-002 study brings together biopharmaceutical companies and research organisations working to validate new Alzheimer’s diagnostic tools.
IXICO has already been supporting neuroimaging analysis for the project, using its artificial intelligence-driven platform to examine brain scans.
Bram Goorden, CEO of IXICO, said: "This official partnership strengthens the deep collaboration between IXICO and GAP.
"Working with GAP and the consortia partners is very rewarding clinically, and it is also particularly important for two strategic reasons.
"Firstly, it confirms IXICO's leading role in the AD research ecosystem, a key element in driving continued commercial opportunities.
"Secondly, the unique study data enables us to further develop highly differentiated neuroimaging biomarker technologies that advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from AD."