Local researcher develops tool to improve breast cancer treatment

Rna Diagnostics Inc., a cancer diagnostics research company co-founded by Sudbury-based researcher Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, claimed the top prize last month at a new business venture competition in Toronto, according to a press release from Sudbury Regional Hospital.

The company won best new business venture, best venture in the health-care field, and was named co-winner of the Best Intellectual Property Award at the TiEQuest 2011 Awards in Toronto.

Rna Diagnostics, Inc. received the awards for its development of a new method of monitoring the response of breast cancer tumours to chemotherapy, the RNA Disruption Assay (RDA).

According to RDA, breast cancer patients who are identified as responding well to chemotherapy can continue their treatment, while patients identified by RDA as not responding can be switched quickly to alternate therapies, sparing them the adverse effects of continued chemotherapy.

“Congratulations to the Rna Diagnostics team for this outstanding accomplishment,” Dr. Denis Roy, president and CEO of Sudbury Regional Hospital, said in a press release.

“This is a tangible example of how Sudbury and this hospital are well on the way to becoming a leading academic health sciences centre, with world class research.”

“I am very pleased with these awards,” Parissenti said. He is also an affiliate research scientist within the Regional Cancer Program of the hospital and a professor at both Laurentian University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

“Through collaborations with our partners including the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group, we hope to bring an important new diagnostic tool to cancer patients worldwide, and support the development of a cancer diagnostic start-up company right here in Sudbury.”

TiE is an international organization devoted to fostering and mentoring emerging businesses and entrepreneurs. The three awards also earned Rna Diagnostics Inc. more than $80,000 in funding and support services.