About the project
The NeutroFlow project is based on a breakthrough discovery made in the laboratory of Prof. Yuval Shaked (Technion, Israel Institute of Technology).
The research team identified a novel neutrophil subtype, named ‘Ly6Ehi neutrophil’, strongly associated with response to ICIs across a wide range of cancer types (Benguigui et al., Cancer Cell 2024).
Ly6Ehi neutrophils are detectable in the blood and can be measured by a flow cytometry assay, showing potential to serve as a clinical biomarker to guide treatment decisions.
Key Technological Objectives
Establish a clinical study for the collection of pretreatment blood samples and clinical data from at least 600 cancer patients across 5 cancer types: non-small cell lung cancer; melanoma; head and neck squamous carcinoma; triple negative breast cancer; renal cell carcinoma.
Develop a prototype NeutroFlow kit and a corresponding industry-level flow cytometry assay for standardised detection of Ly6Ehi neutrophils.
Acquire flow cytometry data from >600 patient samples using the prototype NeutroFlow kit and assay.
Develop and clinically validate the NeutroFlow predictive model through training and blinded validation. The model will translate the flow cytometry assay readout into a clinically relevant prediction of clinical benefit, enabling informed clinical decisions.
Perform an analytical validation study in at least three medical centres to assess standardisation of the test across laboratories with different flow cytometry instruments.
Key Business Objectives
Expand and manage IP portfolio
Establish a KOL committee
Develop a business plan
Design large-scale clinical trial
Communication and publications