Lilly, Exosome Diagnostics enter biomarker discovery deal

Eli Lilly & Company has entered into a collaboration agreement with Exosome Diagnostics for blood-based biomarker discovery and validation using Exosome Diagnostics' proprietary EXO50 nucleic acid extraction kit.

Under terms of the agreement, Lilly will gain access to Exosome's technology with the aim of identifying key gene mutations and expression levels in blood that may be correlated with drug response and disease recurrence.

"Exosome Diagnostics technology may provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into the biology of complex conditions such as cancer and immune disorders. Exosome technology enables biofluid molecular sampling and the ability to monitor disease progression in real time. As Lilly explores new ways to pursue patient tailoring, we'll continue to work with partners to expand our capabilities."

Andrew Schade, Senior Medical Director, Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Lilly.

Exosomes and their protected nucleic acid contents are being investigated in a broad range of diseases including cancer, CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, maternal / fetal medicine, and chronic kidney disease, among others.