Edmonton Research Park gains Nanostics Lab for prostate cancer research and healthcare innovation

IASP member Edmonton Research Park (ERP) has welcomed Nanostics Inc. to its burgeoning Life Sciences Campus, marking a significant step in the park's strategic development. Nanostics, a Canadian company specialising in innovative diagnostic tests, has successfully relocated its clinical laboratory to the newly updated Biotechnology Business Development Centre (BBDC) within ERP. This move is a considerable achievement for Nanostics, having also secured provisional accreditation from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), ensuring the continued provision of their ClarityDX Prostate test to patients.

The establishment of Nanostics' clinical lab within the BBDC signifies a key milestone for ERP's vision of creating a comprehensive Life Sciences Campus. This campus aims to provide local life sciences companies with the essential facilities and resources required for global scaling. Nanostics now holds the distinction of being the first clinical testing laboratory to be based within the BBDC.

In tandem with this strategic relocation, Nanostics has announced the enrolment of the first participant in a pivotal clinical utility study. This research will assess the impact of incorporating its ClarityDX Prostate Test into the standard of care for the early detection of prostate cancer. The study, sponsored by Nanostics, aims to recruit up to 1,074 men referred to urology centres in both Calgary and Edmonton. Principal investigators for the study are Dr. Eric Hyndman at the Prostate Cancer Centre in Calgary and Dr. Adam Kinnaird at the Kipnes Urology Centre in Edmonton.

The AI-powered ClarityDX Prostate test has previously demonstrated its potential in a large-scale validation study, indicating its ability to more accurately identify men with aggressive prostate cancer following an elevated PSA result. This earlier detection could lead to improved patient outcomes while reducing the incidence of unnecessary biopsies.

Dr. John Dushinski, Chief Medical Officer for the Prostate Cancer Centre, highlighted the potential impact of the study's findings, noting that if the validation study results are replicated, a "47% reduction in unnecessary biopsies would be transformative for prostate cancer screening."

Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern for men in Alberta and North America. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment, as the disease often presents with minimal symptoms in its early stages. The integration of ClarityDX Prostate into the clinical pathway aligns with recommendations from urological associations to utilise adjunctive strategies for improved risk stratification in men with elevated PSA levels.

Congratulations to Nanostics Inc. on this significant relocation to the Edmonton Research Park and the commencement of this crucial clinical utility study. We also extend our congratulations to the Edmonton Research Park on welcoming Nanostics to their growing Life Sciences Campus, a move that promises to invigorate further innovation and growth within the region.