Advanced Cell Diagnostics’ RNAscope used in new Merrimack drug trial

Advanced Cell Diagnostics has announced that Merrimack Pharmaceuticals has made use of its RNAscope technology in a new drug trial.

The pharmaceutical company has made use of the in situ RNA detection platform to select patients for a phase II clinical study of its product candidate MM-121, which is being developed to treat heregulin-positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

In previous MM-121 phase II clinical trials, heregulin-positive patients determined by RNAscope achieved significant therapeutic benefits when treated with a combination of the new drug and standard therapies.

The high sensitivity and specificity of RNAscope has proven invaluable in helping the company determine which patients would be most likely to benefit from treatment.

Gavin MacBeath, senior vice-president of translational research at Merrimack, said: "RNAscope's ability to detect heregulin within the confines of tumour cells, compatibility with existing automation instruments and with small tissue specimens such as fine needle aspirates and core needle biopsies were all important considerations in our decision."

Advanced Cell Diagnostics received ISO 13485:2003 certification for its RNAscope range last year, as well as naming contract research organisation Aquila-Histoplex as its first accredited RNAscope certified service provider in Europe.