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Mayo Clinic Launches Individualized Medicine Consulting Clinic

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Released: 5/30/2013 11:00 AM EDT Source Newsroom: Mayo Clinic

Newswise ROCHESTER, Minn . -- You have a serious medical condition, but the conventional tests fail to find an answer. You still have no diagnosis and no effective treatment. What do you do? Mayo Clinic has always been a destination for patients seeking answers. Now, Mayo is taking that concept to the next level with the public launch of its Individualized Medicine Clinic -- at all three of its campuses, in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona.

MULTIMEDIA ALERT: For video resources describing the clinic, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network (http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/).

This is about integrating the latest in genomic science into modern medical practice, says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., director of Mayos Center for Individualized Medicine. This is not whimsical sequencing, but a comprehensive and professional approach aimed at serious problems. This is what weve been working toward since the genome was mapped.

To be clear, this is not experimental medicine or a clinical trial. Though Mayos genomic research continues within the Center for Individualized Medicine, this is not research. It is cutting-edge tertiary clinical care and a regular part of Mayo Clinics medical practice.

The Individualized Medicine Clinic (IM Clinic) is a consulting service within Mayo that is using whole exome sequencing to find solutions for patients with serious conditions -- conditions that are medical puzzles, which no one has yet solved, says Kostas Lazaridis, M.D., medical director of the clinic.

Currently, the Mayo Individualized Medicine Clinic offers two types of consulting services: one for cancer patients who have failed standard treatments; and a second for diagnostic odyssey cases -- complex disorders that appear to have some type of genetic cause. Researchers work with physicians and bioinformatics and genetics specialists to identify what may be small genetic alterations in an individuals genome that may be the clue others could not find.

A large team for a complex service

Mayos Individualized Medicine Clinic has more than 20 physicians trained in genomics and ready to work with patients in this new medical discipline. Genetic counselors are also part of the team, guiding patients through the process, ensuring that they understand the findings and their options. Clinic staff work closely with patients families as well, not only for understanding and support, but because many conditions are heritable and may impact a number of individuals. Pathologists, scientists, bioethicists, genomic counselors, bioinformatics specialists, technicians and operations staff support the individualized medicine medical team.

The Individualized Medicine Clinic began seeing its first patients about six months ago during a startup period and the numbers are growing weekly. In some cases, the clinic has not been able to help the patient due to severity of the illness. In other cases, the clinic provided information to families that may be useful in the future. And in others, the clinic found a genetic alteration or mutation and were able to provide improved therapy. Here are three examples.

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Mayo Clinic Launches Individualized Medicine Consulting Clinic

The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine at Willowbrook Partners With the Texans Soccer Club of Houston

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HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - May 30, 2013) - The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine at Willowbrook is pleased to announce a partnership with the Texans Soccer Club of Houston, providing event support and athletic training services to bring a higher quality organized sports program to Northwest Houston.

The partnership will support the Texans Soccer Club throughout the year by providing athletic injury evaluations and physician referrals, concussion assessment and management, medical support during Texans hosted tournaments and medical education workshops for coaches and parents.

According to Dwight Adsit, ATC, LAT, at the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine at Willowbrook, the partnership will provide players with valuable resources and medical expertise to both ensure the safety of the athlete and an optimal playing environment.

The Texans Soccer Club is the largest all boys soccer club in Houston and a proud member of the United States Soccer Development Academy, which is the highest level of youth soccer in the country.They teach the technical and tactical aspects of soccer in a competitive atmosphere -- while cultivating the physical and mental capabilities of the player.

Since becoming a part of the Northwest Houston community in 1987, over 12,000 players have worn a Texans jersey and gone on to become elite college and professional players as well as serve the community as doctors, lawyers, government officials and other highly valued professionals.

According to Scott James, director of the Texans Soccer Club, there is tremendous pride in not only the winning tradition for which the club is known but also how it translates into broader lifelong success for its players.

"We are very pleased to have formed a partnership with Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.This will provide the best medical care available for our players within the program.The first class facilities and treatments will help keep our athletes healthy and on the field of competitive play," said James.

The Methodist athletic trainers work closely with the entire Methodist sports health team to provide various community outreach support throughout the year, including athletic trainer services at the recent Ultimate Frisbee Championship.They are also holding "all school activities" state mandated sports physicals on the Methodist Willowbrook Hospital campus June 8 and August 3 from 8 a.m. to noon, for students who missed those performed in school.

To learn more about Methodist Athletic Training Outreach Efforts, call 281.737.2120.

Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a not-for-profit, faith-based hospital, which is part of The Methodist Hospital System.For a physician referral, call 281-737-2500.

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The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine at Willowbrook Partners With the Texans Soccer Club of Houston

The US Oncology Network Selects med fusion and Foundation Medicine to Optimize Molecular Diagnostic Testing and …

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Physicians in The US Oncology Network, supported by McKesson Specialty Health, announced today the selection of med fusion and Foundation Medicine as their preferred diagnostic labs. This new relationship is expected to advance the delivery of high-quality, precision medicine and the appropriate use of molecular diagnostics, supporting The US Oncology Network in continuing to deliver high-quality, cost-effective cancer care.

Were very excited about the selection of med fusion and Foundation Medicine to help us with our precision medicine initiative. They are both leaders in molecular testing and will offer physicians in The US Oncology Network a broad array of testing services, says Marcus Neubauer, MD, medical director of Oncology Services for McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network.

The US Oncology Network is one of the nations largest networks of community based oncology physicians and integrated cancer care practices. Through a physician-led request for proposal (RFP) process, The Network selected med fusion and Foundation Medicine from a broad field of candidates.

Located in Lewisville, Texas, med fusion was selected for its logistical capabilities and broad clinical testing menu and will serve as the diagnostic gateway for The US Oncology Network.

Foundation Medicine, a molecular information company, was selected for its FoundationOne test, which offers a fully informative genomic profile useful in many cancer types and clinical scenarios. Med fusion and Foundation Medicine will also contribute guidance and educational support around genomics-based oncology. Working with both companies allows physicians in The US Oncology Network to meet the needs of patients with a variety of types and stages of cancer.

Molecular diagnostics are becoming increasingly important in oncology care and its imperative for physicians to have the support they need to order the right test at the right time, says Dr. Neubauer. The US Oncology Network empowers its affiliated physicians to collaborate on important topics like precision medicine, molecular diagnostics and evidence-based treatments so that all physicians in The Network have easy access to the tools, resources and support necessary to provide patients with high-quality cancer care.

By working with med fusion and Foundation Medicine, physicians in The US Oncology Network will have a simplified technology solution that will streamline ordering and data collection, provide access to and guidance about use of the most advanced cancer testing, and support US Oncology Research clinical trials.

There is an onslaught of new tumor profile tests from clinical labs. We would like to give physicians in The Network guidance on which tests to order for which patients and help payers understand how these tests will improve patient care and potentially reduce overall cost of care, says Neubauer.

Clinical trials are a critical part of patient care, and molecular data is now often required to enroll patients in trials, says Steve Jones, MD, medical director for US Oncology Research, a nationwide network of physician investigators supported by McKesson Specialty Health. This initiative will improve our ability to identify and enroll patients in these targeted trials.

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The US Oncology Network Selects med fusion and Foundation Medicine to Optimize Molecular Diagnostic Testing and ...

RBCC to Drive Growth Through Personalized Medicine

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NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As part of its mission to capture a share of the fast-growing, $232 billion personalized medicine market, Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC) is making plans to empower patients to demand better care through a potent combination of innovation and education.

By delivering new technologies in the sectors of the personalized medicine field poised for the most growthincluding companion diagnosticsRBCC hopes to arm patients with more effective and efficient treatment options than ever before. But bringing new ideas and products to the marketplace is only one piece of the companys strategy for expansion, says RBCC CEO Patrick Brown.

Our ultimate goal is to help spur patient-driven demand for personalized medicine, Brown said. That requires not just delivering new innovations, but helping to educate patients on these promising new treatment options. Thats why were developing a comprehensive media and marketing strategy.

The personalized medicine market in the U.S. is ripe for expansion, with PricewaterhouseCoopers predicting that the sector could grow to as much as $452 billion by 2015. One of the fastest-growing fields in the market is companion diagnostics, which could grow to as large as $42 billion by 2015, according to industry analysts TriMarkPublications.com.

RBCC has formed a biotech subsidiary, Rainbow BioSciences, to market and develop new medical and research technology innovations to compete alongside companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY),Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) and Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN).

For more information on RBCCs other biotech initiatives, please visitwww.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.html.

About Rainbow BioSciences

Rainbow BioSciences, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB:RBCC). The Company continually seeks out new partnerships with biotechnology developers to deliver profitable new medical technologies and innovations. For more information on our growth-oriented business initiatives, please visitwww.RainbowBioSciences.com. For investment information and performance data on the Company, please visitwww.RainbowBioSciences.com/investors.html.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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RBCC to Drive Growth Through Personalized Medicine

Precision for Medicine Adds Regulatory Expertise To Support Next Generation Medicines

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CHEVY CHASE, Md., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Precision for Medicine, Inc., ("Precision"), the specialized scientific services company formed in 2012 to support next generation medical products, today announced the appointment of three key executives, significantly increasing the breadth of its regulatory and commercialization services. The addition of these executives and their teams expands and enhances Precision's ability to support life science innovators as they work to address value, effectiveness, and patient access for next generation medicines.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130530/PH20734LOGO)

"Developers of diagnostic technologies particularly companion diagnostics that support a new generation of biopharmaceuticals are looking for a specific set of services as they work to guide their products to market," said Precision co-founder, Mark P. Clein. "The leadership team we have assembled at Precision for Medicine provides a unique combination of industry experience and scientific expertise to help guide all aspects of diagnostic and product development, from strategy to regulatory affairs, and from clinical trial design to commercialization."

Judi Smith, M.S., M.T. (ASCP) has been appointed Vice President, In Vitro Diagnostics Regulatory and Quality and will lead Precision's regulatory support services for diagnostic products, including companion diagnostics for next generation biopharmaceuticals. In this role, Ms. Smith will help clients guide diagnostics products from initial development through regulatory submission, review, and approval. Ms. Smith, who is currently the president of the Association of Medical Diagnostic Manufacturers, has worked in regulatory and quality sciences and clinical development for over 30 years. During that time, she has led successful regulatory submissions for a multitude of companion diagnostic assays, in vitro diagnostic products, and biological in vitro diagnostic assays to support quality control of diagnostic products. Ms. Smith earned a Masters of Science degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Merry Lee Bain, M.S., has been appointed Vice President, Medical Devices and will lead Precision's regulatory support services for medical devices. Ms. Bain guides strategic planning and implementation of regulatory strategies for clients developing products across a broad range of disciplines and therapeutic areas. Ms. Bain is a biomedical engineer with over 25 years experience in regulatory affairs for the medical device industry. She has been consulting for 10 years and held executive leadership positions in regulatory affairs at Cook Medical. Ms. Bain earned a B.S. in engineering and a M.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University.

Pia Maria Gargiulo, Ph.D. has been appointed Managing Director, Companion Diagnostics Solutions. In this role, Dr. Gargiulo will lead Precision's companion diagnostics programs with a focus on introducing novel technologies, and addressing the array of regulatory, clinical, and commercial requirements necessary to bring companion diagnostics to market. Before joining Precision, Dr. Gargiulo was the Vice President of companion diagnostic partnerships at Qiagen. During her tenure at Qiagen, Dr. Gargiulo worked with biopharmaceutical companies to establish successful drug-diagnostic collaborations and co-development programs. Prior to Qiagen, Dr. Gargiulo was a Therapeutic Brand Leader and Senior Regional Scientific Leader at AstraZeneca. Dr. Gargiulo earned a Ph.D. in cytogenetics from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

About Precision for Medicine Precision for Medicine (Precision), is a specialized scientific services partner dedicated to helping life science companies develop and commercialize next generation medical products. Precisionoffers a unique combination of expertise, scientific infrastructure and organizational scale to help guide products from development, through regulatory review, to market introduction and commercial success. Best-in-class teams of scientists and industry expertise and a specialized portfolio of services help clients accelerate research, enable market adoption, enhance patient outcomes and realize the full commercial potential of innovative products. The company is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD with offices in Boston, MA, Gaithersburg MD, and Frederick, MD. For more information about Precision, visitwww.precisionformedicine.com.

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Precision for Medicine Adds Regulatory Expertise To Support Next Generation Medicines

Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part Two – Video

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Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part Two
Moderator -- Professor Ruth Enid Zambrana, University of Maryland. Panel -- Professor Angela Rose Black, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Profe...

By: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part Two - Video

Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part One – Video

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Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part One
Moderator -- Professor Ruth Enid Zambrana, University of Maryland. Panel -- Professor Angela Rose Black, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Profe...

By: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Research on Women of Color: Interdisciplinary Medicine and Health, Part One - Video


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