Mainz Biomed and Liquid Biosciences Partner to Enhance Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

Mainz Biomed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer, has announced a collaboration with Liquid Biosciences, an AI-focused bio-analytics company, to potentially add pancreatic cancer detection to its colorectal cancer screening test ColoAlert®. Liquid Biosciences employs its EMERGE AI analysis technology platform to assist biopharma companies, diagnostics industries, and academic institutions in identifying effective drugs and therapies.

Mainz Biomed is in the process of developing PancAlert, a screening test that integrates genetic and potentially microbiome biomarkers to detect pancreatic cancer. Research indicates that the microbiome—the mix of bacteria in the gut—significantly influences tumor development and progression. The constitution of the microbiome can impair the immune system’s capacity to recognize and attack cancer, and it can render drugs less effective. By combining DNA and microbiome biomarkers, Mainz aims to make early detection of pancreatic cancer feasible.

In the initial phase of their collaboration, the companies evaluated biomarkers from Mainz’s research program, co-funded by the German government, using a single algorithm developed by Liquid Biosciences with its EMERGE platform. The results of this feasibility analysis were promising, instilling confidence in both companies that PancAlert could be integrated into ColoAlert in the future. ColoAlert is an early detection screening test that identifies bleeding and non-bleeding tumors through tumor DNA analysis, which the company claims offers better early detection than fecal occult blood tests.

In the next phase of the collaboration, Mainz and Liquid Biosciences will expand the biomarker evaluation to include microbiome biomarkers assessed by Mainz in 2023 and an expansion of the algorithm. The aim is to complete this analysis by the fourth quarter of 2024.

Guido Baechler, Chief Executive Officer of Mainz Biomed, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Liquid Biosciences on PancAlert, which is being developed for early-stage disease detection with the goal of being a first-in-class screening test for this deadly form of cancer. Liquid Biosciences is already a key partner in our Next Generation colorectal cancer screening test. Expanding our partnership will allow us to bring the power of AI to this critical problem.”

Pancreatic cancer is a particularly aggressive form of cancer with one of the highest mortality rates among major cancers. It is currently the third-leading cause of cancer deaths and is projected to become the second-leading cause by 2030. This year alone, approximately 66,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and around 51,750 Americans are expected to die from the disease. Notably, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 13%, largely because most diagnoses occur at a late stage when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.

Given the challenges in treating pancreatic cancer and its rising incidence, significant medical research is being directed toward earlier detection and improved treatments. Consequently, the global pancreatic cancer market is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% from 2023 to 2032.

Mainz’s collaboration with Liquid Biosciences represents a significant step in the company's efforts to bring next-generation diagnostic technology to the public. By combining biomarkers, Mainz aims to provide a more effective method to detect deadly cancers that often go undiagnosed and untreated until it is too late.

Featured photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.