Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that it has released mFocus TST™ (Tissue-based Sarcosine Test), a research use only assay that measures the level of sarcosine in a biological sample. Based on biomarkers identified in a study conducted by Metabolon to better understand the metabolic changes associated with prostate cancer progression, the assay is the first available test that reports a biochemistry-based measurement of prostate cancer aggressiveness.

mFocus TST is the first in a series of new research tool offerings developed using Metabolon’s proprietary biochemical profiling technology which is uniquely able to identify and measure hundreds of biochemicals and metabolites in a biological sample. Using sophisticated statistical analysis, panels of biochemical markers most closely associated with a particular disease are selected for an assay. Additional research tools developed by Metabolon are planned including tests for specific types of toxicity as well as insulin resistance.

“The mFocus TST research tool provides researchers with a novel way to gain insight into the biochemical progression of cancer,” explained Jeff Shuster, director, diagnostics development at Metabolon. “This test was designed as a powerful tool for better understanding of metastatic cancers as it identifies elevated levels of sarcosine, shown to be indicative of aggressive cancers of the prostate.”

The original study, conducted with the University of Michigan, used Metabolon’s biochemical profiling to generate global, non-targeted metabolic analysis of tissue, urine and plasma samples. The researchers were able to identify a series of metabolites (including sarcosine) that are key potential predictors of cancer aggressiveness. The complete publication detailing the results of this study appeared in the February 12, 2009 edition of Nature*.

Pricing details and additional information for mFocus TST and other Metabolon services are available upon request.

About Metabolon

Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.

*Sreekumar, A, Poisson, LM, Rajendiran, TM, Khan, AP, Cao, Q, Yu, J, Laxman, B, Mehra, R, Lonigro, RJ, Li, Y, Nyati, MK, Ahsan, A, Kalyana-Sundaram, S, Han, B, Cao, X, Byun, J, Omenn, GS, Ghosh, D, Pennathur, S, Alexander, DC, Berger, A, Shuster, JR, Wei, JT, Varambally, S, Beecher, C, and Chinnaiyan, AM. Metabolomic Profiles Delineate Potential Role for Sarcosine in Prostate Cancer Progression. Nature 457:910-914 (2009)