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Publication
Nature Communications Chemistry

Current landscape of plasma proteomics from technical innovations to biological insights and biomarker discovery

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  • September 25, 2025
  • Sara Ahadi, et al., Alkahest, Inc.
Topic/Product:
CNS Disease Panel 120, Inflammation Panel 250, Technology
Disease Area:
Technology
Sample Type:
Plasma

Abstract

Plasma is a rich source of biomolecules, including proteins, that reflect both health and disease. Due to their key roles in biological processes, proteins hold significant potential as biomarkers, fueling the rise of plasma proteome profiling in recent years. However, comprehensive comparisons of the performance of different plasma proteomics platforms are limited. Our study addresses this gap by conducting a direct comparison of eight platforms, representing both affinity-based and diverse mass spectrometry approaches, and covering over 13,000 proteins. By applying these platforms to the same cohort, we systematically assess their performance, identifying key differences and complementary strengths. Our findings offer valuable insights for researchers, highlighting trade-offs in coverage and their implications for biomarker discovery and clinical applications. This study serves as an essential resource, offering both technical evaluation and biological insights to support the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics through plasma proteomics.

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Authors & Affiliations

Douglas Y. Kirsher , Shreya Chand, Aron Phong, Bich Nguyen, Balazs G. Szoke & Sara Ahadi

Alkahest Inc. 125 Shoreway Rd D, San Carlos, CA, 94070, USA.

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Steve Williams, MD, PhD

CSO

Dr. Willams serves as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. He was previously Chief Medical Officer at Standard Biotools and at SomaLogic where he pioneered the discipline for discovery and validation of predictive, diagnostic and prognostic models using machine-learning applied to large-plex proteomics. 20 such tests were used for drug characterization, safety and efficacy when incorporated in clinical drug trials at Pharma/Biotech and 17 different multivariate tests were validated and translated into regulated healthcare uses. Prior to SomaLogic, Dr. Williams was at Pfizer in the UK and the USA as a clinical triallist in Translational Medicine, and subsequently as VP, Global Clinical Technology. He sat on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the Executive Committee for the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium, and worked with FDA and PhRMA on developing evidentiary standards for biomarker qualification. Dr. William’s medical training was in London, at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, followed by a PhD in medicine/physiology at the same institution and training in Radiology at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Steve is co-inventor on 26 proteomics patents and author/coauthor on multiple foundational proteomics manuscripts.

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Justin McAnear

CFO

Mr. McAnear serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 25 years of operational and financial leadership experience across various sectors and was instrumental in taking 10x Genomics public in 2019, serving as its CFO for over five years. Mr. McAnear served for over 3 years as Tesla’s VP of Worldwide Finance and Operations, supporting landmark initiatives such as the Model X and Model 3 launches and Solar City acquisition.  He also held various roles at Apple and J&J earlier in his career and served as a naval officer and aviator for over 9 years.