Photo from stonybrook.edu

By Justin Cole
Staff Writer

Stony Brook University entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with molecular diagnostic company OncoGenesis Corporation on Sept. 17.  The university entered into the agreement for the use of protein biomarker Keratin 17 (K17) for diagnostic and prognostic applications for cervical cancer.  These applications will be developed based on the research of Kenneth Shroyer, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Pathology, along with colleagues at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

“Our research on the role of K17 in cancer will continue, and we suspect to discover more about K17 specific to cervical cancer, which will help us to advise OncoGenesis on other approaches to developing clinical applications,” Dr. Shroyer said.

Cervical cancer is one of the most widespread forms of cancer found in women worldwide. If detected early, the treatment of this cancer is effective. However, over 250 thousand die annually due to the ineffectiveness of diagnostic methods used to detect and treat the cancer.

In response to the agreement, Senior Vice-President of Technology for OncoGenesis, Dr. Nam W. Kim said, “We are excited to continue our long and successful relationship with Stony Brook and Dr. Shroyer, and for the opportunity to utilize proprietary biomarkers such as K17 in our cervical cancer test.”