Pancreatic cancer diagnostics company Immunovia (STO:IMMNOV) announced on Monday that its next-generation pancreatic cancer detection test will be included in a US-government-funded study evaluating biomarker tests for monitoring cystic tumors of the pancreas.

Diane M Simeone, an expert in pancreatic neoplasms and Director of Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego Health, leads the study. The study will examine biomarker tests to detect pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) that can develop into pancreatic cancer through three complementary studies.

Study 1 will retrospectively assess 200 blood samples for biomarker performance and accuracy, completing in 2025. Study 2 will evaluate biomarker tests in patients undergoing surgery for suspected cancerous pancreatic cysts. Study 3 will monitor biomarker performance in individuals undergoing annual surveillance of cystic tumors over approximately five years.

Funded by a USD4.5m grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Immunovia will only bear the costs for testing samples. Conducted through four institutions in the PRECEDE Consortium, the study aims to improve early detection and risk modeling for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Simeone, principal investigator and executive committee chair of the PRECEDE Consortium, is also a member of Immunovia's Scientific Advisory Board.