Oxford Cancer Biomarkers

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers (OCB) operates at the intersection of oncology, artificial intelligence, and personalized medicine, developing and commercializing a suite of diagnostic tools. A 2011 spin-out from the University of Oxford, the company was established by Professor Nick La Thangue, a cancer biology specialist with a track record of founding and leading biotech firms, and Professor David Kerr, an eminent cancer researcher renowned for his work in colorectal cancer. Their combined expertise in translational science and clinical oncology forms the foundation of OCB's mission to refine cancer treatment pathways.

The company's business model centers on the development and sale of proprietary, predictive biomarker tests to healthcare systems and clinicians. These tools aim to improve patient outcomes and generate cost savings by enabling more precise, individualized treatment decisions. OCB leverages partnerships to drive commercialization and market access, such as a collaboration with My-BioMed Biotechnology to roll out its tests in China and a partnership with Mira Precision Health to advance its flagship product in the United States. The company has secured funding from investors including Longwall Venture Partners, Esperante BV, Plutus Investment Group, and the University of Oxford.

OCB's portfolio is led by two key products primarily for colorectal cancer. The first, ToxNav®, is a CE-marked pharmacogenomic test that analyzes over 20 genetic variants from a blood or cheek swab sample to predict a patient's risk of severe, potentially fatal, toxic reactions to common fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapies like 5-FU and capecitabine. By identifying at-risk individuals before treatment, clinicians can adjust dosages or select alternative therapies, mitigating adverse effects and improving safety. The second product, OncoProg®, is an AI-powered digital pathology tool that analyzes resected tumor tissue. It uses proprietary algorithms to assess markers like DNA ploidy and tumor stroma to generate a risk profile, helping to determine the likelihood of cancer recurrence for patients with Stage II tumors. This information assists oncologists in deciding whether a patient is likely cured by surgery alone or would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, thus avoiding unnecessary treatment and its associated side effects.

OCB continues to advance its technology through clinical studies and collaborations. A recent investment round in April 2023, led by Plutus Investment Group, is aimed at funding the UK commercialization of its products, preparing for global market launch, and developing its pipeline of digital pathology and pharmacogenomic tools. The company's work is supported by partnerships with major IT service providers and academic institutions, enhancing its machine-learning capabilities for image analysis and solidifying its position in the growing field of precision oncology.

Keywords: predictive diagnostics, cancer biomarkers, colorectal cancer, personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, digital pathology, AI in oncology, University of Oxford spin-out, David Kerr, Nick La Thangue, ToxNav, OncoProg, chemotherapy toxicity, 5-FU, capecitabine, DPYD gene, cancer recurrence risk, precision oncology, clinical decision support, genetic testing, CE marked, venture capital, biotech