HACKENSACK, N.J., Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Champions Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSBR), a company engaged in the development and sale of advanced technology solutions and products to personalize the development and use of oncology drugs, today announced a collaboration with The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute "ALCMI" to develop a novel cohort of PDX models in patients with ROS1 gene rearrangement. These models will further expand Champions' TumorGraft bank offerings in non-small cell lung cancer for translational oncology research for academic and industry customers. Champions' global infrastructure will be leveraged to support this multi-year program.

As a patient-driven initiative, ALCMI is leading an international study, with Champions Oncology contributing its extensive experience and global infrastructure, to support the establishment of patient derived xenograft models from patients with a ROS1 fusion. The unique cohort of PDX models can be used as a resource for clinical and translational research and support development of new therapies in patients with ROS1 positive cancer. The models established will have complete clinical and molecular annotation.

"Champions Oncology is pleased to partner with ALCMI for this patient-driven initiative to establish a unique cohort of models in ROS1 positive cancers," said Angela M. Davies, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Champions Oncology Inc.

"Champions and ALCMI are combining their respective infrastructure, expertise and scientific commitment to build PDX models in this rare subtype of cancer and make those models available to academic and industry researchers," Dr. Davies said. "This PDX resource will facilitate development of new therapies and understanding mechanisms of resistance in ROS1 cancers."

"We are pleased to partner with Champions Oncology, and the ROS1 patient community, to help advance our shared goal of new and more effective therapies for affected lung cancer patients everywhere, via the creation and distribution of these much-needed research and development models," said Steven Young, ALCMI President & COO.

About ALCMI

The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI, voiced as "Alchemy"), founded in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by lung cancer survivor Bonnie J. Addario, is a patient-centric, international research consortium driving research otherwise not possible. Working in tandem with its "partner" foundation the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF), ALCMI powers collaborative initiatives in genetic (molecular) testing, therapeutic discoveries, targeted treatments and early detection. ALCMI overcomes barriers to collaboration via a world-class team of investigators from 26 member institutions in the USA, UK, and Europe, supported by dedicated, centralized research infrastructures such as standardized biorepositories and data systems. ALCMI directly facilitates research by combining scientific expertise found at leading academic institutions with patient access through its network of community cancer centers – accelerating novel research advancements to lung cancer patients. By providing access to critical masses of patient stakeholders, academic, community and industry researchers, ALCMI and ALCF are making progress towards their shared goal of transforming lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023.

About Champions Oncology

Champions Oncology, Inc. is engaged in the development of advanced technology solutions and services to personalize the development and use of oncology drugs. The company's technology platform is a novel approach to personalizing cancer care based upon the implantation of primary human tumors in immune-deficient mice to create TumorGrafts that preserve the biological characteristics of the original human tumor to determine the efficacy of a treatment regimen. The company uses this technology in conjunction with related services to offer solutions for two customer groups: Personalized Oncology Solutions, in which results help guide the development of personalized treatment plans, and Translational Oncology Solutions, in which pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking personalized approaches to drug development can lower the cost and increase the speed of developing new drugs.

SOURCE Champions Oncology, Inc.

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