Calgary-based biotechnology company Syantra, Inc. has completed new patent filings that significantly expand their cancer molecular diagnostics platform to include novel drug targets and therapeutic approaches. The intellectual property builds upon the company's innovative "tumor education" technology, which forms the foundation of their Onco-ID platform for early cancer detection.
Innovative Approach to Cancer Detection
Syantra's Onco-ID platform represents a paradigm shift in cancer screening methodology. Unlike conventional liquid biopsy tests that search for circulating tumor cells or cancer DNA fragments, Onco-ID analyzes whole blood mRNA to identify cancer in its earliest stages by focusing on the body's response to disease.
"These new patent filings bolster Syantra's foundation of understanding and utilizing the body's powerful system for monitoring and attacking disease," said Syantra CEO Rob Lozuk. "The new approaches coming out of these findings enable not only the early detection of cancer, but also intervention through new therapies."
The company has particularly focused on breast cancer screening applications, though their platform technology has broader potential across multiple cancer types.
From Detection to Treatment
What distinguishes Syantra's latest intellectual property is the expansion from diagnostic applications to therapeutic interventions. By leveraging their understanding of how tumors "educate" the immune system, the company has identified new drug targets and developed strategies to potentially disrupt this process.
This precision medicine approach aims to create a comprehensive toolkit that addresses both cancer detection and treatment, potentially offering clinicians new options for managing disease at its earliest stages when interventions are most effective.
Proprietary Cellular Models
Central to Syantra's research advancements are their unique cellular discovery models that incorporate key features of the tumor education process. These laboratory systems are designed to closely mimic processes occurring naturally in the body.
"By developing and employing our dynamic lab models, we have been able to generate important data that continues to expand our understanding of tumor education," explained Kristina Rinker, Chief Scientific Officer at Syantra. "This has allowed us to investigate molecular pathways and chemical compounds in an exciting new way, providing key insights and discoveries that will impact our understanding of cancer progression."
Ongoing Clinical Studies
The company is currently conducting clinical studies globally to expand their data and further refine their platform. These studies aim to validate the approach across different patient populations and potentially expand applications to additional cancer types.
As a privately held precision biotechnology company founded by Calgary-based innovators in biomedical engineering and medicine, Syantra continues to pursue its mission of changing how cancer is detected and treated through their novel immune-based approach.
