This groundbreaking test helps oncologists determine which breast cancer patients should be treated with bisphosphonates to improve their prognosis and survival.

The MAF Test® could benefit more than 30,000 patients per year.

The clinical-scientific results of the MAF Test® have been published in high-impact journals such as The Lancet Oncology, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Nature Cell Biology.

Barcelona, July 17, 2025 — Inbiomotion announces that MAF Test® will be available as of today in the Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), the Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center, the centres belonging to HM Hospitales in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and the International Breast Cancer Center/ Pangaea Oncology (Barcelona). These are the first public and private centres in Spain to incorporate this pioneering test for breast cancer patients. Widespread roll-out of the MAF Test® could increase the survival rate for nearly 80% of the 33,000 early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed each year in Spain, according to 2024 estimates from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).

The MAF Test® predicts the prognosis of breast cancer patients and helps oncologists identify those in whom metastasis could be prevented and who might benefit from adjuvant treatment with bisphosphonates (drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis). Furthermore, the MAF Test® identifies patients whose prognosis would worsen if treated with bisphosphonates, thereby preventing their exposure to unnecessary treatments that would not provide benefit.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, with over 2 million new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and of these, between 15% and 20% may go on to develop metastasis. The ability to identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and to personalize their treatment is vital for improving both their survival and quality of life.

Dr. Javier Cortés, director of the International Breast Cancer Center (IBCC) in Barcelona, said: “As a center dedicated exclusively to breast cancer, the incorporation of the MAF Test allows us to take another step forward in personalizing treatment. This test helps us identify which patients will truly benefit from bisphosphonates in the adjuvant setting, improving their outcomes while avoiding exposing those for whom they would not be useful or could even be harmful to ineffective treatments.”

Dr. Eva M. Ciruelos, coordinator of the Breast Cancer Unit at HM Hospitals in the Community of Madrid, highlighted: “At HM Hospitals, we are committed to innovation in order to offer the best personalized medicine. Diagnostic tools such as the MAF Test help us make informed decisions about which patients will benefit from bisphosphonate treatment and avoid unnecessary treatments in those who would not benefit. This means optimizing care and improving the quality of life of our patients.”

Dr. Sònia Servitja, medical oncologist and head of the breast cancer section of the oncology department at Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), commented: “It is very exciting to see how pioneering research developed in Barcelona is translating into tangible improvements for our patients. Having the possibility to perform the MAF Test at our hospital will allow us to more easily identify patients at high risk of metastasis and tailor treatments to improve their surviva.”

Dr. Maria Vidal, medical oncologist and head of the breast cancer unit at the Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasizes: “In line with the European Commission’s recommendations for comprehensive cancer centers, at the Clínic we are committed to incorporating innovative and validated tools that improve clinical decision-making. The arrival of the MAF Test allows us to move towards more personalized medicine, better identifying patients at risk of bone relapse and more accurately selecting those who will truly benefit from bisphosphonate treatment.”

Finally, Dr. Aleix Prat, director of the Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center and director of the Chair of Innovation in Precision Oncology at the University of Barcelona, concludes: “Precision oncology requires integrating clinically validated biomarkers that help us tailor treatments to the biological risk of each tumor. The MAF Test is an excellent example of how biomedical research can generate useful, accessible tools that improve decision-making and quality of care. Its implementation in hospitals represents another step toward more effective, safer, and personalized medicine.

The results showing the clinical utility of MAF Test® were generated using patient biopsies from two landmark clinical trials, each with more than 3,000 patients (AZURE and NSABP-B34). These results were published in The Lancet Oncology (2017) and the Journal of National Cancer Institute (2021) respectively, where it was shown that 80% of patients with breast tumors had MAF-negative tumors and that being treated with clodronate or zoledronic acid increased their disease-free survival by 14.3% and decreased their relative risk of death by 21.4%. In contrast, patients with MAF-positive tumors had no benefit, or even worse prognosis, from treatment with bisphosphonates (clodronate or zoledronic acid), irrespective of their menopausal status.

This announcement follows a recent publication in Nature Cell Biology of key data further elucidating the biology around the MAF biomarker. A team from IRB Barcelona led by ICREA researcher Prof. Dr. Roger Gomis, co-founder of Inbiomotion, revealed in such publication the mechanism by which the MAF gene amplification increases the risk of metastasis in breast cancer patients. This discovery is a crucial step towards understanding the molecular basis of metastasis and has significant clinical implications for the future treatment of the disease.

Dr. Roger Gomis, founder of Inbiomotion commented, “It’s fantastic news to announce the adoption of the MAF Test in leading hospital centres, which reinforces our commitment to improving cancer care within the healthcare system. This announcement represents a significant step forward in increasing diagnostic capabilities and enhancing clinical outcomes for early-stage breast cancer patients. We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with these hospitals, aiming to empower healthcare professionals and achieve a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives.”

About Inbiomotion

Inbiomotion is a spin-off of IRB Barcelona and ICREA, founded in 2011 by Prof. Dr. Roger Gomis, following the identification of the MAF gene as a biomarker to predict bone metastasis in breast cancer. Inbiomotion has developed a diagnostic kit based on the detection of MAF gene amplification, the MAF Test®, to promote precision medicine and improve the treatment of breast cancer patients.The company’s main investors are Ysios Capital, Caixa Capital Risc, Alta Life Sciences Spain I FCR (Altamar CAM), and the Vila Casas Foundation. For more information, visit www.inbiomotion.com.

About International Breast Cancer Center / Pangaea Oncology

The International Breast Cancer Center (IBCC) is the first center in Spain specializing exclusively in breast cancer. Located in Barcelona, it is directed by Dr. Javier Cortés. Pangaea Oncology is a medical company focused on precision oncology, with laboratories and molecular diagnostic services aimed at improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. IBCC and Pangaea collaborate to implement new diagnostic tools and innovative treatments, placing themselves at the forefront of specialized cancer care.

About HM Hospitals

HM Hospitales is Spain’s leading private hospital group, offering excellence in healthcare combined with research, teaching, constant technological innovation, and the publication of results. Led by doctors and with 100% Spanish capital, it currently has 7,500 professionals who focus their efforts on providing quality, innovative medicine centered on the health and well-being of their patients and their families. HM Hospitals comprises 54 healthcare centers: 23 hospitals, 3 comprehensive centers specializing in oncology, cardiology, and neuroscience, 5 centers specializing in reproductive medicine, eye health, oral health, aesthetic medicine, and plastic surgery, and personalized early prevention, as well as 23 polyclinics. All of them work in a coordinated manner to offer comprehensive management of their patients’ needs and requirements.

About Hospital del Mar

Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) is a leading public university hospital belonging to the Parc de Salut Mar. It has an outstanding medical oncology unit and is a pioneer in translational basic research, clinical trials, and cancer treatments in the public health system, serving patients in Barcelona and Catalonia with a multidisciplinary and innovative approach.

About Hospital Clínic de Barcelona

Hospital Clínic de Barcelona is a public university hospital internationally recognized for its excellence in care and research. Its Clinical Cancer Institute (ICMHO) and leading research groups place it at the forefront of cancer diagnosis and treatment, consolidating its position as a center of reference in oncology at the national and international level.

About the MAF gene

MAF (mesenchymal aponeurotic fibrosarcoma gene, an AP-1 family transcription factor) is an oncogene that is amplified in certain primary breast cancers and is associated with increased metastatic potential, especially in bone. MAF regulates, at the gene expression level, other genes such as PTHrP, which are involved in cellular processes related to metastasis: cell survival, tumor initiation, metabolic reprogramming, and, in particular, adhesion to cells in the bone microenvironment and osteoclast differentiation. In addition, the MAF protein interacts with the estrogen receptor—a key element in the development of breast cancer—by modifying its structure. This interaction causes a reorganization of DNA chromatin, allowing the activation of genes that promote metastasis, particularly in response to estrogen stimulation. This evidence indicates that the MAF gene plays a key hierarchical role in the metastatic process of breast cancer.