Boston, MA – July 16, 2024 – NoRD Bio, Inc., an innovative company at the forefront of genomic and transcriptomic analysis, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This grant will support the development of groundbreaking technology for non-invasive cancer detection and residual disease monitoring through cell-free nucleic acid analysis.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Improving detection, continuous monitoring, and effective treatment are critical for enhancing patient outcomes. Traditional cancer diagnosis and genomic analysis for personalized treatment often involve invasive procedures and biopsies, which can be costly, time-consuming, and pose risks to patients. Detecting tumor-derived circulating free DNA (cfDNA) in biological fluids offers a promising non-invasive alternative. This method reflects genetic changes, including mutations present in tumor tissue, making it valuable for primary cancer diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. MRD refers to the low-level presence of cancer cells post-treatment and can predict cancer recurrence and overall survival, serving as an essential biomarker for clinicians.
NoRD Bio’s innovative project aims to develop and evaluate an assay to detect and monitor cfDNA from tumors in saliva, specifically focusing on patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This type of cancer, the sixth most common worldwide, often remains undiagnosed until late stages, highlighting the need for sensitive early detection and disease monitoring. While blood has been the primary source for cfDNA analysis, saliva presents an attractive, easy-to-obtain alternative for frequent, repetitive sampling. NoRD Bio’s team is developing both experimental and computational methodologies for highly-sensitive saliva-based cancer genomic tests, and quantifying the cost-effectiveness of this approach.
"We are honored to receive this NIH SBIR grant, which will significantly advance our mission to make cancer detection and monitoring more accessible and less invasive," said Dr. Ignaty Leshchiner, a co-founder of NoRD Bio, Inc. "This funding will enable us to refine our technology, bringing us closer to offering a reliable, non-invasive solution for patients and healthcare providers."
This grant is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
NoRD Bio, Inc. is dedicated to transforming the landscape of cancer diagnostics and treatment through innovative multi-omic analysis. The company develops a variety of capabilities, including whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, circulating free DNA analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, and personal data storage solutions. NoRD Bio’s mission is to harness the power of cutting-edge science to develop real-world medical solutions that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Central to NoRD Bio's mission is the development of a highly sensitive, multi-omic, tumor-agnostic assays. This test is designed to detect signs of cancer relapse, provide early detection, and enables pharmaceutical companies to better stratify patients and develop enhanced treatment protocols and personalized therapies. By focusing on non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostics, NoRD Bio is revolutionizing cancer care and striving to make these advanced technologies accessible to all.