Ann Arbor, Michigan, US and London, UK – NextGen Group plc (AIM:NGG) is pleased to announce that its US-subsidiary NextGen Sciences Inc, a leader in biomarker discovery, measurement and qualification, has launched its csfalzheimers37 multiplex protein assay for Alzheimer’s disease. The assay simultaneously measures 37 human CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) proteins that are believed to have potential as biomarkers for the disease.

Klaus Rosenau, Chairman and CEO of NextGen Group, commented, ‘The release of the csfalzheimers37 assay demonstrates our firm intention to focus on the major CNS (Central Nervous System) diseases and comes hot on the heels of the release of the csfmultiplesclerosis25 assay for Multiple Sclerosisand csfparkinsons22 assay for Parkinson’s disease. To ensure we continually deliver the high-quality assays that pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, and translational medicine organizations need to inform their decision-making processes, NextGen Sciences is currently working to expand its CSF and Plasma discovery assays.’

NextGen’s assay is based upon its multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry platform and generates high quality reproducible data that companies can use in their drug and diagnostic development programmes. The MRM platform can be used to assay proteins and modified proteins for which there are no antibodies and can thus circumvent the limitations of current antibody based technologies. NextGen expects to develop further oncology and CNS disease-focused assay panels, both as proprietary products and with other companies, through partnerships and collaborations.

NextGen Sciences Inc (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) is the subsidiary of NextGen Group PLC, London, UK (AIM: NGG). It provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies with rapid and quantitative protein biomarker discovery, measurement and qualification services using mass spectrometry technology. The technology enables protein biomarker discovery and assay without the need for antibodies which is a current limitation with other biomarker assay technologies. With a rise in the industry focus on personalized medicine and cost-effectiveness, biomarkers are playing an increasingly important role in drug discovery, development and patient access, as well as healthcare delivery. The global market for biomarkers is expected to grow to $30bn by 2015 (BCC Research, 2011), with those for neurological disorders ($3.2bn by 2015, BCC Research, 2010) and oncology ($5.7bn by 2014, Goliath, 2010) playing an important role. NextGen Sciences’ products include discovery of new biomarkers and targets, assay development, and biomarker qualification. For more company and product information please visit http://www.nextgensciences.com.