ONCOMARK

OncoMark is a UCD spin-out that develops companion diagnostic tests to support cancer drug development. Companion diagnostics allow pharmaceutical companies to select patients for which a drug may be particularly effective (patient stratification). The test can also be used during clinical trials to help reduce the numbers of patients required to complete a clinical trial and its duration, while also increasing the likelihood that the trial will be successful. The end result is improved outcome... for cancer patients. The company has a portfolio of diagnostic tests in development, covering some of the key cancer types (breast, colorectal, prostate, melanoma), supported by €3.9m in EU R&D funding. There are currently 12 employees funded through 6 grants. The company was founded by Prof. William Gallagher in UCD and is led by Dr. Mairin Rafferty, the CEO/COO. The company has a strong advisory board, which includes Prof. John Crown and Prof. Bryan Hennessy.More