Category Archives: Pharmacogenomics

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Life Technologies Corporation (LIFE) will exhibit platforms for companion diagnostic development and products ideal for basic, translational and clinical cancer research during the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2012, taking place June 1 June 5, in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, several of the company's customers will present clinical research findings obtained with Life's sequencing technologies.

"Life Technologies offers platforms across the spectrum of genomics and proteomics that can be utilized in companion diagnostic development," said Ronnie Andrews, president of medical sciences at Life Technologies. "We share with our pharma partners a dedication to the movement toward personalized treatments based on the specific defects driving cancer in each individual patient."

In October 2011, Life announced a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a companion molecular test for a GSK candidate cancer immunotherapy.

Presentations:

AmpliSeq panels accurately identify more than 700 mutations in patient samples Marilyn Li, Ph.D., professor of molecular and human genetics and director of the Cancer Genetics Lab at Baylor College of Medicine, will present a poster demonstrating use of the Life Technologies Ion AmpliSeq cancer panels to sequence 12 archived tumor research samples including FFPE, bone marrow and cell line samples. The authors report that the panel accurately identified all known mutations previously detected using Pyrosequencing or Sanger sequencing and was sensitive enough to detect mutations at frequencies as low as 5% with 99% confidence. The poster will be presented June 4, Monday afternoon from 1:15 to 5:15.

AmpliSeq panels validated in CLIA lab with rapid turn-around for tumor sample sequencing Christopher Corless, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute, will present results using the Ion Torrent (Life Technologies) AmpliSeq Cancer Panel in a CLIA-licensed/CAP-certified setting. Forty-five FFPE tumor samples were sequenced, and the results matched those obtained via previous mass spec-based genotyping and revealed an additional 27 new mutations. Preliminary data from a custom AmpliSeq GI Stromal Tumor (GIST) panel will also be shown. The poster will be presented June 4, Monday afternoon from 1:15 to 5:15.

Featured Products:

Life Technologies offers cancer researchers the ability to detect mutations in cancer-associated genes using both PCR and sequencing platforms.

Ion Personal Genome Machine (Ion PGM) and Ion Proton Between the benchtop Ion PGMSequencer and the benchtop Ion ProtonSequencer, the Ion Torrent technology can cover any application. The Ion PGMSequencer is ideal for sequencing genes, small genomes, panels of genes, or performing gene expression profiling, and its speed, simplicity and scalability also make it an ideal platform to extend into diagnostics.

The Ion ProtonSequencer is ideal for sequencing both exomes regions in the DNA that code for protein and human genomes. The Ion ProtonI Chip, ideal for sequencing exomes, will be available mid-2012. The Ion ProtonII Chip, ideal for sequencing whole human genomes, will be available six months later. In addition, the Ion ProtonOneTouchsystem automates template prep and a stand-alone Ion ProtonTorrent Server performs the primary and secondary data analysis.

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Life Technologies Showcases Leading Technologies for Companion Diagnostic Development, Cancer Research at the ASCO ...

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

ACM Global Central Lab, the central laboratory that continually defines the customer-service standard with its flexible approach, is pleased to announce that Mark Engelhart has joined the executive management team as chief commercial officer. Engelhart will be responsible for leading ACM Globals business development, proposals and contracts, marketing and sales activities worldwide.

Prior to joining ACM Global, Engelhart was chief commercial officer at Cryoport, Inc. a provider of leading-edge cold chain logistics services. His experience also includes serving in varying sales and marketing management and operations roles at leading pharmaceutical companies, including Bayer and Abbot Laboratories. Engelhart has also held the role of vice president of global sales and marketing at Covance Laboratory, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Trials division and Esoterix Clinical Trials Services.

We are extremely pleased to have Mark join ACM Global, said Angela J. Panzarella, president of ACM Global Central Lab. Mark is a highly accomplished senior executive with deep experience in sales, marketing, strategy, and global commercial operations for central laboratory services and clinical trials support services, and will be a valuable addition to our executive team.

ACM Global will be on hand to discuss the latest trends in clinical research lab testing at PCMG Annual Conference, June 13-15 at the Pine Cliffs Hotel in Portugal and at the 48th Annual DIA Meeting, June 24-28 in Philadelphia.

About ACM Global Central Lab

ACM Global Central Lab offers a flexible approach and a focus on precision to keep clinical research studies on schedule. ACM Globals services extend to more than 60 countries with all tests conducted and managed from central lab facilities with seamless data management providing a single database. The organization performs 14 million tests each year, featuring more than 1,500 individual tests spanning all medical disciplines, including pathology, microbiology, flow cytometry and pharmacogenomics. Combining comprehensive safety, efficacy and pathology testing from a single lab ensures clients receive consistent, analyzable test results with faster and cleaner reporting.

For more information, visit http://www.acmgloballab.com, our Central Labs in Focus blog or call +1 866 405 0400.

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ACM Global Central Laboratory Appoints Mark Engelhart as Chief Commercial Officer

MASON, Ohio, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced the closing of a $12.5 million Series C financing. The personalized medicine company, which provides clinically-relevant information to help physicians select the right drug for individual neuropsychiatric patients, will use the funds to increase commercial activities for its two flagship pharmacogenomic products, GeneSightRx Psychotropic and GeneSightRx ADHD, as well as next generation product development activities.

The financing was led by Four Rivers Group and existing investors Claremont Creek Ventures and Sequoia Capital. The financing also included participation of existing investors Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, CincyTech, Allos Ventures, as well as new investors jVen Capital and Alafi Capital. New investors Four Rivers, jVen Capital, and Alafi Capital bring to AssureRx Health further expertise and partnering connections to help AssureRx Health continue building its leadership position in psychiatric pharmacogenomics.

"Our goal is to build the leading clinical informatics company providing pharmacogenomic and other treatment decision support products to help physicians individualize the treatment of patients with neuropsychiatric and other disorders," said James S. Burns, president and CEO of AssureRx Health. "Proceeds from the Series C financing will be used to expand sales coverage, sponsor multiple clinical studies, and develop new products to help accelerate our leadership position in psychiatric personalized medicine."

Warren Hogarth, partner at Sequoia Capital, said, "AssureRx products have the potential to change the way physicians select the appropriate medications for each of their patients. AssureRx is at the cutting edge of providing treatment decision support products for a very large global psychiatric market. We believe that AssureRx Health is building a world class company."

John Steuart, managing director of Claremont Creek Ventures said, "AssureRx has enormous potential to lead the transformation of neuropsychiatric care toward personalized patient treatment. GeneSightRx Psychotropic, GeneSightRx ADHD and future pharmacogenomic products hold the promise for faster, better patient outcomes and less costly care. We believe that AssureRx products have the potential for significant adoption by the psychiatric community, leading ultimately to incorporating pharmacogenomics into routine psychiatric practice guidelines."

From a simple cheek swab, the GeneSightRx technology measures and analyzes clinically important genetic variants that determine how a patient's unique genetic make-up affects his or her ability to tolerate or effectively respond to psychotropic medications. Patient-specific genetic information obtained through GeneSightRx can assist physicians in the process of selecting appropriate antidepressant and antipsychotic medications for individual patients.

About Claremont Creek Ventures Claremont Creek Ventures (CCV) is a seed and early stage venture firm. CCV invests in digital healthcare, energy technology, payments/commerce, and online businesses. Utilizing the firm's proprietary life-cycle venturing program, Claremont Creek Ventures also partners with entrepreneurs and institutions, including UC Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore Labs, Stanford University and UC Davis. Claremont Creek has more than $300 million in capital under management in two funds. CCV's digital healthcare investments in addition to AssureRx Health include Genalyte, GeneWeave, GigaGen, Fluxion Biosciences, Natera, Tibion and Zipline Medical. For more information, visit http://www.claremontcreek.com.

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AssureRx Health Raises $12.5 Million Series C Financing

by Floyd County Schools reports Rn T.Com

With small class sizes, the highly-selective courses in the Duke program are very competitive with limited availability. Just to be eligibility for enrollment is an honor and indicates the student has exhibited outstanding intellectual ability and dedication to academics. Duke TIP provides participants with an exciting, stimulating and challenging opportunity to augment their interests and capabilities. Through a variety of experiential activities, lab work, discussions, fieldwork, collaboration, presentations, and the use of advanced technology and lab equipment, participants in the genetics program will delve into cutting-edge human genetic research. Topics included in the program are: human gene expression, pharmacogenomics, and epigenetic control of DNA, SNP genotyping, gene sequencing, forensic biology, and medical genetics. Hosmer's experience will culminate with the creation of an individual laboratory project that she will present to Duke faculty and her institute peers.

At Armuchee High School, Hosmer is involved with the National Honors Society and Academic Decathlon and she has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Hosmer also volunteers in the community at Mount Berry Animal Hospital and the Rome Action Ministries Food Pantry. She plans to pursue undergraduate degrees in Biology and Veterinarian Sciences at Berry College or at the University of Georgia before deciding upon a school of medicine.

Click here to read additional press releases on RN-T.com.

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Armuchee junior to study human genetics at Duke University this summer

BELTSVILLE, MD--(Marketwire -05/16/12)- BioServe today announced that the Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank, the largest state-of-the-art bio-repository of human tissue and blood in Queensland, Australia, has joined BioServe's network of affiliated bio-repositories. As part of the BioServe Network, the Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank will make available its high volume of oncology tissue and blood samples to industry and academic researchers worldwide. The collaborative partnership between BioServe and the Wesley Research Institute was facilitated by Bio-Link Australia Pty. Ltd., a life sciences commercialisation company.

The Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank joins the growing BioServe Network that includes Fox Chase Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Windber Research Institute, and Maine Medical Center. The Network, along with BioServe's Global BioRepository, creates the largest commercial-ready specimen repository in the world with over 2 million samples in most major diseases. Such specimens hold the data driving genetic and biomarker discovery and validation for effective patient stratification, drug discovery and development of new diagnostics.

The Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank was founded in 2007 and is a purpose-built research facility established to provide a diverse collection of ethically obtained tissue specimens for biomedical research. The Tissue Bank operates at the Wesley Research Institute, which is located on the Wesley Hospital campus in Auchenflower, Brisbane. It collects and stores tissue samples, blood and related clinical data from consenting patients at The Wesley Hospital and makes these specimens and clinical data available to ethically approved medical researchers. The Tissue Bank adheres to the international standards set down in Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines.

"We are pleased that the Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank will make its high quality tissue samples available through the BioServe Network. By tapping this unique and comprehensive sample resource, researchers can quickly obtain most any type of human biological sample in most any disease," said Rama Modali, President of BioServe.

"Becoming part of the BioServe Network will enable us to reach a greater proportion of the scientific research community, putting our samples into the hands of researchers developing new therapies and diagnostics," said Dr. Greg Hafner, Chief Operations Officer of the Wesley Research Institute.

About BioServe BioServe provides a comprehensive 'biomaterial to validated data' genomics services platform, helping researchers gain the pre-clinical data for breakthroughs in drug discovery, molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomics. Utilizing BioServe's genomics services platform, researchers can identify genetic markers, validate drug targets and correlate clinical data with molecular data to accelerate the development of new and safer drugs. BioServe's services extend from nucleic acids processing, DNA synthesis, high throughput genotyping, genome wide-scans and gene expression analyses to ready-made large epidemiologically sound case-control studies of inflammatory disorders, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and many cancers. BioServe's Global BioRepository provides researchers with a library of 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data from 120,000 consented and anonymized patients from four continents.

For more information please visit http://www.bioserve.com or call 301-470-3362.

About Wesley Research InstituteThe Wesley Research Institute is an independent, not-for-profit medical research organisation that conducts research focusing on improving patient care and quality of life. Its clinical and applied research aims to discover, test and refine new techniques for better diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease that work towards its motto of 'making a difference today.' Wesley Research Institute provides a range of scientific services across three main areas -- Investigative Research, Clinical Trials and Tissue Banking.

For more information please visit http://www.wesleyresearch.org.au or email enquiries@wesleyresearch.com.au.

About Bio-Link AustraliaBio-Link Australia Pty. Ltd., with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, is a life sciences commercialisation company offering professional business development services to facilitate commercial partnerships in the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic industries. Bio-Link's clients include leading biotechnology companies and medical research institutes located in Australia and around the world. For more information please visit http://www.bio-link.com.

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The Ventyx Wesley Research Institute Tissue Bank Joins the BioServe Network

IRVINE, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviir Diagnostic Laboratory has entered into a contractual agreement for ancillary diagnostics laboratory testing as a participating provider with TRPN and its 10 million lives network.

Three Rivers Provider Network (TRPN) was founded in 1996 as a company that was contracted to provide services for several major clients. At that time, its clients needed to access a network that would grant PPO type discounts without incurring balance billing risks for their members. Over time, given superior results and the high levels of satisfaction of service that were achieved, TRPN was prompted by other companies that focused on group health and workers compensation to perform similar type services for them.

Since that time, TRPN has evolved into the largest and fastest growing proprietary PPO network in the United States. The TRPN network is now comprised of more than 600,000 total providers, including more than 5,000 hospitals and 70,000 ancillary facilities. Through its clients, approximately 10 million lives now have access to the TRPN PPO network.

Aviir was founded in 2005 by cardiologists and scientists from the Stanford University School of Medicine to focus on discovery, development and commercialization of innovative diagnostic tests.The biotechnology company specializes in developing proprietary diagnostic teststhat will assist in identifying patientswho are truly at high risk for the development of a cardiac event.Aviir's proprietary MiRisk and TruRisk assessments objectively identify, by a simple blood draw, individuals who are at a high risk of a cardiac event over the next five years.Aviir's CLIA laboratory (Irvine, CA) complements these novel tests with a wide range of additional tests for risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring of cardiovascular disease and related metabolic disorders including pharmacogenomics and genetic tests. http://www.aviir.com

"There is currently a significant yet unmet clinical need in the medical community for more effective ways to identify individuals at high risk of a heart attack who are missed by current evaluation methods. Providing an accurate assessment of the patient's overall heart health is the first step in prevention of cardiovascular disease," stated Douglas Harrington, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aviir.

"At Aviir, our ultimate goal is to help physicians identify those patients who are at serious risk of experiencing a heart attack but are completely unaware of their precarious condition. Armed with better information, physicians will be able to customize individualized treatment plans with the goal of improving patient therapeutic compliance, reducing their risk of heart attacks, and decreasing the overall cost of care," Dr. Harrington added.

Learn more at http://www.aviir.com Learn more at http://www.trpnppo.com

For more information: Dina Scaglione Marketing, Communications Manager Dina.Scaglione@aviir.com

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Aviir Laboratories Announce National Agreement with Three Rivers Provider Network