Molecular diagnostics firm Lineagen and Fast Forward have forged a partnership to fund the development of a blood-based assay for multiple sclerosis

Under the terms of the deal announced today, Fast Forward, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is committing $622,000 to clinically develop and validate a variety of biomarkers, including genes that may be able to identify those who have a predisposition for the disease, as well as biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic use. The hope is to develop a test that can inform clinicians and guide treatment by distinguishing MS from other neurological disorders and providing information about patient response to therapies.

The funding supports research by John Rose, a professor of neurology at the University of Utah, and Mark Leppert, a professor of human genetics at the university.

“One of the most critical challenges is to find answers to key questions, such as how do we identify those patients who are more likely to experience disease progression, and how do we determine patients’ potential responsiveness to therapy,” Rose said in a statement. “With this important funding provided by Fast Forward, we will rapidly gain key insights that we believe can have a profound impact on the lives of people living with MS.”