Expression Pathology (EPI; Gaithersburg, Maryland) said it has obtained $125,000 from the State of Maryland to develop a quantitative test for HER2 protein, a biomarker in breast cancer tissue samples. The funding is part of the Maryland Technology Development Corp’s Maryland Technology Transfer Fund and the Maryland Venture Fund’s Challenge Investment Program.

Using tissue processing technologies, EPI is developing an assay for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) in breast cancer. EPI’s Liquid Tissue reagents and Director laser microdissection slides are used to extract proteins from standard formalin-fixed tissue. These proteins are then analyzed by mass spectrometry techniques. Current methods of analysis relying on visual interpretation of staining patterns in tissue have limitations, according to recent articles and studies, the company said.

“Our tissue proteomics technologies have already been adopted by major academic and industrial customers for research use. We believe that diagnostic assays utilizing mass spectrometry for tissue analysis have the potential to greatly improve patient treatment decisions, especially in cancer, where tissue biopsy and surgery are routine,” said Casey Eitner, EPI’s president/CEO.