Repositive collaborates with AstraZeneca to improve oncology research
Consortia will use the Repositive platform to improve access to human genomic data
Repositive, a software company developing novel tools to improve access to human genomic research data, is launching a consortia project in collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop a collaborative, precompetitive resource to provide streamlined discovery and access to molecular data from Patient Derived Xenographs (PDXs) for use within oncology research.
The consortia project was inspired by an idea submitted to the Pistoia Alliance, a global, not-for-profit alliance of life science companies, vendors, publishers and academic groups dedicated to improving global life sciences research and development, via their IP3 platform, a platform developed to support collaborative projects.
Repositive and AstraZeneca are inviting Pistoia Alliance members and other interested organisations to join the collaborative project as partners in developing the precompetitive PDX resource.
Patient Derived Xenographs (PDXs) are derived by direct implantation of cancerous tissue from a patient into an immunodeficient mouse. They offer advantages compared with cancer cell line derived xenografts as the tumours have not been exposed to the selective pressures, stimuli, damage and genetic evolution resulting from the cell culturing process.
As a result PDX’s better maintain the heterogeneity and structure of the original patient tumour, and therefore experimental results and drug responses are more directly translatable to the clinic.
The consortia will use the Repositive platform, a purpose-built system to improve access to human genomic data, alongside AstraZeneca’s knowledge and expertise in oncology. The consortia is looking for additional industrial and academic partners to provide improved data and develop new tools for use in improving oncology research.
Jonathan Dry, Principal Scientist, AstraZeneca Oncology iMED, said: ‘This precompetitive resource will increase the efficiency with which our scientists can search the world’s providers of PDX models to find the best for their research.’
Fiona Nielsen, CEO of Repositive, added: ‘We are happy to apply the Repositive skills in data sourcing and web application development to such immediate beneficial effects to the consortia partners. Users of the Repositive platform can quickly and easily access human genomic data from a wide range of sources, making it ideal for improving data discovery and access.’
PDX consortia partners will benefit from early access to the resource and tools as they are being developed, and the features and data availability on the resource will be prioritised according to the needs of the consortia members. Opportunities to extend the resource to immunocompetent tumour models can also be explored.
To join as a consortia partner, on these beneficial terms, prospective partners must express their interest with Repositive, before 30 September. To express interest, contact Fiona Nielsen at info@repositive.io.
