Dunedin company in colorectal cancer breakthrough

Medical technology researcher Pacific Edge Biotechnology has completed the first phase of the development of a prognostic test for colorectal cancer.

The Dunedin-based company focuses on the discovery and development of genetic diagnostic and prognostic tools for cancer.

Research teams from Pacific Edge, in conjunction with collaborators in New Zealand and Europe, have developed two gene signatures that provide the basis for a prognostic test for determining the risk to patients of the tumour aggressively moving to other parts of the body, chairman Trevor Scott said.

"Successful prospective clinical trials will provide a solution to the clinicians need for this predictive capability and would be expected to flow directly to commercialisation."

The final phase requires a prospective clinical trial. The company is now moving on to clinical trial discussions with third parties.

Over 1.1 million new cases of colorectal cancer occur each year globally.

- NZPA