β-cell pharmacodynamic biomarker for clinical trials needing pancreatic monitoring

ABCureD, the biomedical spin-off of Democritus University of Thrace (Greece), together with the university’s Laboratory of Pharmacology, is looking to join DISEASE-01 consortia as the pancreatic pharmacodynamic biomarker partner.

Clinical trials currently have no direct, minimally invasive way to monitor the endocrine pancreas. HbA1c and glucose change only after substantial β-cell loss, and imaging and functional tests are burdensome. Our patented LPancreas technology combines a cell-free DNA methylation signature of β-cell death with AI analysis to measure β-cell injury and decline directly from a blood sample. It can capture effects earlier than current markers.

Where it adds value in a trial:

• Efficacy: interventions intended to preserve or restore β-cells (e.g. in diabetes, obesity, islet or cell therapies, immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes)

• Safety: therapies with a known or suspected risk to the pancreas, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted oncology drugs, immunosuppressants, glucocorticoids or antipsychotics

• Mechanism: an objective pancreatic readout for any intervention whose effect on β-cells is unknown, supporting regulatory and benefit–risk evaluation

What we offer:

• Integration of the biomarker as an exploratory pharmacodynamic or safety endpoint

• Clinical pharmacology expertise to design the sampling schedule and endpoint, and to write that part of the protocol

• Centralised laboratory analysis of serial plasma samples from all trial sites

• AI-based data analysis and interpretation

• SME exploitation capacity through ABCureD

Looking for: coordinators of intervention trials in any non-communicable disease where pancreatic or β-cell effects matter, as an efficacy, safety or mechanistic question. Preclinical data and a draft protocol should already be in place.

Role sought: Biomarker partner (pharmacodynamic and safety endpoint)