Orasi, Biogen Enter Biomarker Technology Pact

Orasi Medical has entered into an agreement with Biogen Idec to test novel biomarkers for the development of treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The companies will use Orasi’s technology to identify and test biomarkers based on magnetoencephalography (MEG) to assess the integrity of brain communication networks in real time and measure brain function in patients.

“We are quite pleased to partner with Biogen Idec on this innovative project,” said Sarah Haecker, Ph.D. vice president, business development at Orasi Medical, “MEG-based biomarkers, will provide companies such as Biogen Idec with instruments to objectively measure drug effect and cost effective tools that better correlate with CNS disease states.” Orasi Medical develops clinical neurophysiology biomarkers based on electrical activity of the brain and its products are being developed to help diagnose and track a variety of CNS diseases.

“There is a critical need for better tools to measure the effect of CNS therapeutics at all stages of clinical development,” said Ajay Verma, M.D., Ph.D. vice president Translational Neurology, at Biogen Idec. “Through the use of Orasi Index and other Orasi MEG analytical approaches we will be able to gain critical insight into the treatment effects and mechanisms of CNS compounds in our pipeline.”