Pharmacogenomics | Core Concepts - pharm lect 14
Pharmacogenomics using the Asian glow or Asian flush as an example of how genetic differences can lead to different drug responses.From:Areo SaffarzadehViews:89 2ratingsTime:15:51More inEducation
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Pharmacogenomics | Core Concepts - pharm lect 14 - Video
The Asian Flush | What Causes it? - Pharm Lect 13
An explanation of the Asian Glow (Asian Flush) or alcohol induced flushing and how it relates to pharmacogenomics.From:areosafViews:106 6ratingsTime:07:30More inEducation
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The Asian Flush | What Causes it? - Pharm Lect 13 - Video
First Order Zero Order Elimination - Pharm Lect 9
Overview of First Order Elimination Zero Order Elimination (updated video). View the rest of my pharmacology videos in order below: (1) What is pharmacokinetics? ADME: youtu.be Drug Absorption Videos: (2) Drug Absorption Overview: youtu.be (3) Bioavailability: youtu.be --------- DRUG DISTRIBUTION Videos: (4) Drug Distribution Overview: youtu.be (5) Volume of Distribution: youtu.be ------------------ DRUG METABOLISM Videos: (6) First Pass Metabolism: youtu.be (7) Phase I Metabolism: youtu.be (8) Phase II Metabolism: youtu.be (9) First Order and Zero Order Kinetics: youtu.be (10) Drug Half-life: youtu.be (11) First-order elimination rate constant: youtu.be ------------------------------------------ DRUG ELIMINATION / EXCRETION (12) Drug Clearance: [not yet posted] (13) Practice problems: [not yet posted] (13) Dosage Regimens: [not yet posted] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Factors That Affect Drug Metabolism: (14) Enzyme Induction: youtu.be (15) Competitive Inhibition Overview: youtu.be (16) Competitive Inhibition of Statins: youtu.be (17) Acetaminophen toxicity (Clinical Correlate): [Not yet posted] (18) Pharmacogenomics Overview: youtu.be (19) Slow Acetylators - Pharmacogenomics: [not yet posted]From:Areo SaffarzadehViews:90 6ratingsTime:13:27More inEducation
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First Order
genomics.mp4
Table of Contents: 03:59 - Pharmacogenomics in Cancer Treatment (cont) 04:32 - SummaryFrom:Sandra EarleViews:35 0ratingsTime:06:27More inHowto Style
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genomics.mp4 - Video
23- Pharmaceutical BiotechnologySG Part IIb. Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine.mov
Encoded in the DNA sequence of our individual genome is the genetic program to build, maintain, and adapt all our tissues and their functions. Each human genome contains 200000 coding elements (exons) and millions of regulatory elements defining complex signaling and regulatory networks. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual #39;s genetic inheritance affects the body #39;s response to drugs. Personalized Medicine offers treatments and diagnostics for the future based on a patients #39; DNA sequence. Sequencing and analysis of the human genome #39;s six billion base pairs is now rapid and affordable. studies on drug metabolism can now be based on individual genomics.From:Albert KauschViews:1 0ratingsTime:01:12:31More inEducation
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23- Pharmaceutical BiotechnologySG Part IIb. Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine.mov - Video
The Future of Medicine: Ben Kompa at TEDxYouth@Columbus
Ben is a senior at Upper Arlington High School, but spends his days taking classes at THE Ohio State University. In addition to playing Bridge, throwing discus, and hanging out with friends, he works in the Sadee Lab of Pharmacogenomics at OSU. There, he was introduced to the possibilities of gene sequencing and personalized medicine, and began conceiving of a world where everyone had individually tailored treatments. In the future, Ben hopes to pursue a degree in biochemistry and continue to conduct research at the crossroads of medicine and public policy In thespirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)From:TEDxYouthViews:374 12ratingsTime:08:54More inScience Technology
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The Future of Medicine: Ben Kompa at TEDxYouth@Columbus - Video
Drug Half-life | An Overview - Pharm Lect 10
This lecture provides an overview of drug half-life. View other posted videos below: (1) Pharmacokinetics Core concepts: youtu.be ---- DRUG ABSORPTION Videos: (2) Drug Absorption Overview: youtu.be (3) Bioavailability: youtu.be --------- DRUG DISTRIBUTION Videos: (4) Drug Distribution Overview: youtu.be (5) Volume of Distribution: youtu.be ------------------ DRUG METABOLISM Videos: (6) First Pass Metabolism: youtu.be (7) Phase I Metabolism: youtu.be (8) Phase II Metabolism: youtu.be (9) First Order and Zero Order Kinetics: youtu.be (10) Drug Half-life: youtu.be (11) First-order elimination rate constant: youtu.be ------------------------------------------ DRUG ELIMINATION / EXCRETION (12) Drug Clearance: [not yet posted] (13) Practice problems: [not yet posted] (13) Dosage Regimens: [not yet posted] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Factors That Affect Drug Metabolism: (14) Enzyme Induction: youtu.be (15) Competitive Inhibition Overview: youtu.be (16) Competitive Inhibition of Statins: youtu.be (17) Acetaminophen toxicity (Clinical Correlate): [Not yet posted] (18) Pharmacogenomics Overview: youtu.be (19) Slow Acetylators - Pharmacogenomics: [not yet posted]From:Areo SaffarzadehViews:148 4ratingsTime:11:44More inEducation
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Drug Half-life | An Overview - Pharm Lect 10 - Video
DR. NAGELE RECOGNIZED FOR FORMATIVE RESEARCH AND CLINICAL WORK
Newswise Washington, D.C. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today presented Peter Nagele, M.D., M.Sc. with its 2012 ASA Presidential Scholar Award. Dr. Nagele, well known for his translational research in the area of perioperative pharmacogenomics and myocardial infarction, received the award at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2012 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Nagele received his medical education at Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck, Austria. He then completed his residency in anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Vienna, Austria.
As a resident, Dr. Nagele was an investigator on the first human safety and efficacy study examining xenon as an anesthetic in humans. He then spent two years with C. Michael Crowder, M.D., Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis to research how to use genetic techniques to study mechanisms of anesthetic action in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).
After his residency, Dr. Nagele returned to Washington University in 2005 to continue his interest in translational research under the advice and guidance of Dr. Crowder and Evan D. Kharasch, M.D, Ph.D., recipient of the 2011 ASA Excellence in Research Award.
In 2008, Dr. Nagele received a FAER mentored research training grant to study the influence of nitrous oxide on postoperative myocardial infarction. The results of this important clinical trial were presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2012 annual meeting.
On behalf of Anesthesiology, we are pleased to present Dr. Nagele with the 2012 ASA Presidential Scholar Award, said James C. Eisenach, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesiology. We recognize Dr. Nageles many achievements as a clinical anesthesiologist so early on in his career. We look forward to his many additional contributions to come.
Dr. Nagele currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University. In addition to his major research interests, Dr. Nagele continues to be actively involved in the specialty of trauma anesthesiology and is the head of the departments section on trauma anesthesiology.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine. Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with 48,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.
For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists website at asahq.org. For patient information, visit LifelinetoModernMedicine.com.
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ASA Presents Peter Nagele, M.D., M.SC. with 2012 Presidential Scholar Award
ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2012) Personalized genomic medicine is hailed as a revolution that will empower patients to take control of their own health care, but it could end up taking control away from patients and limiting their treatment choices, concludes an article in the Hastings Center Report. A commentary responding to the article, by the editorial director of Health and Family at Consumer Reports, also appears in the journal.
Genomic science provides two categories of data, the authors write: pharmacogenomic information and genomic susceptibility information. Pharmacogenomic information forecasts how an individual might respond to a particular therapy. Genomic susceptibility testing predicts a patient's chances of warding off or succumbing to an environmental threat or disease.
Genomic medicine's stakeholders -- including direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, private research centers, and the National Institutes of Health -- are deeply invested in promoting how this information will benefit patients. The authors call this "empowerment rhetoric." And yet the added knowledge that comes from both pharmacogenomic information and genomic susceptibility information could have a negative impact on how much power a patient really has.
The results gleaned from pharmacogenomic information could pressure patients to comply with physicians' recommendations, the authors suggest, because molecular profiling would allow doctors to give orders with more authority. "In fact, because genomic medicine generates more risk information and makes that information the key lens for approaching health and disease, patients may actually find that they have less ability to influence health care decisions and treatments," the authors state.
The virtues of genomic susceptibility information could also go awry. First, because disease prevention relies heavily on lifestyle changes, responsibility is shifted from doctor to patient. Patients who don't make the "right" choices could be deemed irresponsible, the article says. Second, genomic information can for the time being only reveal the health risks of groups of people. Rather than provide individualized assessments, it classifies people into "genetic superfamilies." The authors argue that "population classification schemes based on racial and ethnic categories can be actively disempowering for individuals, by encouraging potentially prejudicial associations between their group affiliations and health care risks."
Patient empowerment is marketed as a paradigm shift because it puts medical data in the hands of the consumer, not just the doctor. But the authors conclude that the focus on empowerment could clash with the reality of what patients are willing or able to do with the information they receive. "The idea of patient empowerment may run up against not only the limits of patients' control over their health, but also the limits of patient control over health care systems," the article says.
The authors are Eric T. Juengst, director of the Center for Bioethics and professor in the Departments of Social Medicine and Genetics at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Michael A. Flatt, a doctoral candidate in sociology at Case Western Reserve University; and Richard A. Settersten, Jr., professor of social and behavioral health sciences and endowed director of the Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University.
In a commentary on the article, Ronni Sandroff, editorial director of Health and Family at Consumer Reports, acknowledges that pharmacogenomics could take control away from a patient if a health insurance company opted not to cover a medicine that was shown to work infrequently in people with a particular genetic makeup. But even an increase in patient empowerment can have downsides if it shifts the responsibility for health care to patients and stigmatizes people who do not, or cannot, make the "right" health choices. Sandroff notes that the greatest challenge in preventive medicine is getting people to eat less, exercise more, and reduce stress. Whether or not genetic susceptibility information will actually empower patients by propelling them toward healthier lifestyles is unknown. "This is a question that needs more serious study," she writes.
Still, Sandroff says that consumer participation in genetic health research -- "a new and growing factor" -- could help advance scientific knowledge. "That makes it something that professionals should be wondering how to enhance and encourage, rather than fear," she writes.
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Personalized genomic medicine: How much can it really empower patients?
GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers markets. The global market for Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers is projected to reach US$18.4 billion by the year 2018, driven by increasing demand from various industries, and advancements in the fields of drug discovery and development, pharmacogenomics, and metabolomics. Development of advanced instruments and growing popularity and portable instruments bodes well for the future of the market.
San Jose, California (PRWEB) October 19, 2012
As stated by the new market research report on Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers, developed markets such as the United States, Europe and Japan account for a predominant share of the worldwide market. Government stimulus programs have also contributed considerably to the growth in the spectroscopy market. In developed regions, demand would be largely driven by the advent of portable, sturdy and affordable spectrometers, which feature advanced technologies such as spectral bandwidth and operation frequency range. Advanced spectrometers are aimed at addressing the emerging demands of areas such as mineralogy, medicine, environment, pharmaceuticals and biochemistry. Despite the continued dominance of developed regions, emerging economies specifically in Asia-Pacific, such as India and China, and Latin America are expected to offer newer opportunities owing to the different economics as well as application needs.
Molecular Spectroscopy represents the largest product category in the global Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers market. The segment is expected to post modest growth in the coming years driven primarily by the sustained adoption and demand for handheld instruments across various market segments. The US represents the single largest market for molecular spectroscopy. Atomic Spectroscopy, another major segment, is expected to benefit from the growing demand from X-ray and life science industries. The most widely deployed devices within the atomic spectroscopy market include XRF (X-ray fluorescence) and XRD (X-ray diffraction). Mass Spectrometry (MS) represents the fastest growing product segment in the global Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers market. Increasing developments in the areas of medical research, environment and food safety are expected to bolster MS market. Advent of technologically advanced products and the growing need to replace existing or obsolete systems also presence potential opportunities for the MS market.
Global spectrometry market is both concentrated and fragmented because of the diversity of technologies. Major players profiled in the report include AB SCIEX, Agilent Technologies Inc., Bruker Daltonics Inc., Digilab Inc., Extrel CMS LLC, FOSS NIRSystems Inc., Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., JEOL Ltd., Ocean Optics Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Rigaku Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, Spectris Plc, Stellar Net Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Waters Corporation.
The research report titled "Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of trends, issues, strategic industry activities, and profiles of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections across geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Molecular Spectroscopy (UV-Vis Spectrophotometers, Raman Spectrometers, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrometers, FTIR Spectrometers, and Others); Atomic Spectroscopy (Ark/Spark Spectrometers, Plasma Spectrometers (ICP, ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectrometers, and Others); Hyphenated Spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS); Mass Spectrometry; Fluorescence Spectrometers; and Accessories.
For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Spectrometers_And_Spectrophoto_Fluorometers_Market_Report.asp
About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a leading publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs over 800 people worldwide. Annually, GIA publishes more than 1300 full-scale research reports and analyzes 40,000+ market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 Companies worldwide. Serving over 9500 clients in 27 countries, GIA is recognized today, as one of the world's largest and reputed market research firms.
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Advanced Products & Expanding Applications to Drive Sales of Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers, According to ...
Some students at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York will have the chance to sequence themselves after the school announced on Monday that it is launching a course that allows students to sequence, analyze, and interpret their own complete genome.
The elective course, called "Practical Analysis of Your Personal Genome," also gives students the option to sequence an anonymous reference genome, if the prospects of knowing the deep dark secrets hidden away in their own genes make them shudder.
There are about 20 students in the course, Mount Sinai says.
While sequencing has been heralded as a potentially groundbreaking technology that may open new diagnosis and treatment methods for physicians, many have also warned that in spite of all the data resulting from sequencing, the medical community is ill-equipped to make sense of all the information.
This course, Mount Sinai says, is designed to bridge that gulf.
"For precision medicine to become a routine in the medical clinic, we need to train the next generation of physicians to harness sequencing-driven medical genetics," says Dennis Charney, the dean of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in a statement. "We believe that an approach tailored to each individual patient's diagnosis and treatment, informed by genomic information, will provide dramatic improvements in the quality of care."
The school will conduct a questionnaire-based study to evaluate how much more knowledge the guinea pigs uh, we mean students who analyzed their own genome demonstrated. They also will be asked about the utility of whole-genome sequencing and the impact on psychological well-being.
Mount Sinai's announcement follows one from the University of Miami a few weeks ago that it is offering a master's degree in genomic medicine. That program seeks to teach future doctors to interpret and apply genomic information in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, as Daily Scan's sister publication Pharmacogenomics Reporter recently reported. Additionally, Pharmacogenomics Reporter wrote in 2010 about a similar, genotyping-based elective course at Stanford University.
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Student Physician, Sequence Thyself
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
ACM Global Central Lab, the central laboratory that continually defines the customer-service standard with its flexible approach, has expanded its clinical trials services with the introduction of Drug-Induced Organ Toxicity (DIOT) Monitoring.
The DIOT Monitoring program provides trending reports for any conventional biomarkers tested, which is tailored to client requirements. It focuses primarily on real-time detection and monitoring of elevated liver toxicity biomarkers, which signal potential drug-induced liver injury (DILI). This program rigorously follows the 2009 FDA Guidance for Industry on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Other organ toxicity monitoring services offered include Drug-Induced Kidney Injury and Drug-Induced Bone Marrow Injury.
Our clients are very interested in better ways to detect DIOT, and particularly DILI, as it is a major cause for the withdrawal of drugs and drug candidates, said Kathleen Murray, executive director, Scientific Affairs at ACM Global Central Laboratory. As part of our DIOT surveillance services, our scientific and data management experts work in close collaboration with our clients to provide the optimal monitoring service for their studies.
The novel DIOT Monitoring service provides clients with real-time trending reports that are generated when the critical level of each analyte is detected in a patient. Once entered in the surveillance system, the patient will continue to be monitored by ACM Global scientists until the end of the study. As part of the DIOT service, and at client request, ACM Global scientific staff will be availablefor consultationto assist in an enhanced assessment of the patients impacted.
To learn more, register for the Oct. 17 webinar on Drug-Induced Organ Toxicity (DIOT): The Early Detection and Management of Elevated Biomarkers to Ensure Patient Safety with ACM Globals Head of R&D Dr. Andrew Botham, Medical Liaison on the Scientific Affairs team Dr. Maria-Magdalena Petru and Chief Commercial Officer Mark Engelhart. Or download the latest Clinical Insight report on Biomarkers of Toxicity Panel in Clinical Trials.
About ACM Global Central Lab
ACM Global Central Lab offers a flexible approach and a focus on precision to optimize the clinical study outcomes for our clients. ACM Global performs 20 million diagnostic tests each year, offering more than 1,500 individual assays, spanning virtually all medical disciplines, including pathology, microbiology, flow cytometry and pharmacogenomics. ACM Globals services extend to more than 60 countries, with all tests conducted and managed from central lab facilities and a seamless data management process providing a single global database.
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 Introduces Real-Time Monitoring of Potential Drug-Induced Organ Toxicity
DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GeneCentric, a molecular diagnostics company focused on personalized oncology today announced the appointment of Dr. Arnold Levine to the company's board of directors. Dr. Levine brings to GeneCentric a wealth of experience related to the life sciences, and status as a prominent inventor in the field of molecular biology.
"I am pleased to join the GeneCentric Board at this important time for both the company and personalized oncology," said Dr. Levine. "GeneCentric has brought together world leaders in cancer research and diagnostics. They have made tremendous progress in a very short amount of time to advance the development of novel, targeted assays that enable oncologists make more informed, individualized, therapy decisions."
Dr. Levine is a widely acclaimed leader in cancer research. In 1979, Levine and others discovered the p53 tumor suppressor protein, a molecule that inhibits tumor development. Dr. Levine previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockefeller University from 1998 to 2002 and was the Harry C. Weiss Professor of the Life Sciences and Chairman of the Molecular Biology Department at Princeton University from 1984 to 1998. He established the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for Advanced Study, which concentrates on research at the interface of molecular biology and the physical sciences: on genetics and genomics, polymorphisms and molecular aspects of evolution, signal transduction pathways and networks, stress responses, and pharmacogenomics in cancer biology.
"We are excited to have Dr. Levine join the GeneCentric board. HIs vast experience will help drive the GeneCentric scientific vision and strategy," said Clay Thorp, General Partner at Hatteras Venture Partners and Chairman of GeneCentric. "The addition of Dr. Levine further validates both the company's scientific and development strategies."
GeneCentric was co-founded in 2011 by two pioneers in cancer research, Drs. Charles Perou and Neil Hayes, who discovered molecular signatures critical in distinguishing clinically relevant subtypes of lung cancer. GeneCentric in-licensed from UNC-CH these technologies, known as the Lung Subtype Platform (LSP), and the Hypoxia Signature for diagnosing risk of cancer metastasis, and Hatteras Venture Partners provided the founding Series I financing. GeneCentric is led by Dr. Myla Lai-Goldman, former CMO & CSO of Laboratory Corporation of America, Holdings (LabCorp) and current Venture Partner at Hatteras Venture Partners.
About GeneCentric
GeneCentric Diagnostics, Inc, based in Durham, NC, is a molecular diagnostic company which develops and commercializes novel assays that enable oncologists and their patients make more informed treatment decisions. For more information, please visit: http://www.genecentric.com
Contact:
Myla Lai-Goldman myla@genecentric.com
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Dr. Arnold Levine Joins GeneCentric Board of Directors
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Third Rock Ventures, LLC, a venture capital firm focused on building life sciences companies, today announced that Felix W. Frueh, Ph.D., has joined Third Rock as an entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR). As an EIR, Dr. Frueh will provide strategic input on new and existing portfolio companies with a particular focus on personalized medicine.
We are pleased to welcome Felix to our growing team of industry leaders, said Alexis Borisy, partner of Third Rock Ventures. Since the founding of Third Rock, we have been dedicated to launching companies focused on personalized medicine, and Felix is the ideal person to help us continue to grow and develop those companies in our portfolio and discover new opportunities to invest in the space.
Dr. Frueh is a thought leader in personalized medicine with 15 years of R&D, management and policy experience. Most recently, Dr. Frueh served as president of the Medco Research Institute, leading Medcos real-world, outcomes-oriented research initiatives and collaborations after having formed Medcos personalized medicine research and development organization. Prior to joining Medco, Dr. Frueh was associate director for genomics at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he built and led the core genomics review team in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and chaired the first FDA-wide, interdisciplinary pharmacogenomics review group (IPRG). Before joining the FDA, he held senior positions at several biotechnology companies. Dr. Frueh has been a member of various working groups on genetics and genomics at the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). He serves on the board of the Personalized Medicine Coalition and is also a board member at Enterome Biosciences. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy (IPIT) at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and held faculty appointments in the Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University and the University of Basel, Switzerland, where he also received his Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to see new technologies and innovative approaches in personalized medicine make an impact on the lives of patients, said Dr. Frueh. I believe that Third Rocks approach to investing in cutting edge science has the potential to make a tremendous difference, and I look forward to being a part of that effort.
About Third Rock Ventures
Third Rock Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2007 with the mission to launch transformative life sciences companies. With more than $800 million and two funds under management, the firm is focused on working with passionate entrepreneurs to build exceptional companies working in areas of disruptive science that will make a difference in the lives of patients. The firm has assembled a team with deep expertise and a proven track record of building respected and successful life sciences companies. With decades of complementary, cross-functional operational and leadership experience, the Third Rock team actively engages with its portfolio companies to provide hands-on strategy and experience to successfully launch companies with the best vision, science, operations, people and culture. With offices in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, Third Rock is well positioned geographically to closely collaborate with its portfolio companies to achieve their goals. To learn more about Third Rock and its portfolio companies, please visit http://www.thirdrockventures.com.
Current Third Rock Portfolio Companies
Ablexis, Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Alcresta, Allena Pharmaceuticals, Alnara Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Eli Lilly & Co. in 2010), bluebird bio, Blueprint Medicines, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, CytomX Therapeutics, DC Devices, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Eleven Biotherapeutics, Ember Therapeutics, Foundation Medicine, Global Blood Therapeutics, Igenica, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Lotus Tissue Repair, MyoKardia, Nine Point Medical, PanOptica Pharmaceuticals, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, SAGE Therapeutics, Seventh Sense Biosystems, Taris Biomedical, Topica Pharmaceuticals, Warp Drive Bio and Zafgen.
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Third Rock Ventures Appoints Personalized Medicine Expert Felix W. Frueh, Ph.D., as Entrepreneur-in-Residence
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jtwtps/human_genes_and) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new book "Human Genes and Genomes. Science, Health, Society" to their offering.
In the nearly 60 years since Watson and Crick proposed the double helical structure of DNA, the molecule of heredity, waves of discoveries have made genetics the most thrilling field in the sciences. The study of genes and genomics today explores all aspects of the life with relevance in the lab, in the doctor's office, in the courtroom and even in social relationships. In this helpful guidebook, one ofthe most respected and accomplished human geneticists of our time communicates the importance of genes and genomics studies in all aspects of life. With the use of core concepts and the integration of extensive references, this book provides students and professionals alike with the most in-depth view of the current state of the science and its relevance across disciplines.
- Bridges the gap between basic human genetic understanding and one of the most promising avenues for advances in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human disease.
- Includes the latest information on diagnostic testing, population screening, predicting disease susceptibility, pharmacogenomics and more
- Explores ethical, legal, regulatory and economic aspects of genomics in medicine.
- Integrates historical (classical) genetics approach with the latest discoveries in structural and functional genomics
Key Topics Covered:
Foreword
Framing the Field
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Research and Markets: Human Genes and Genomes. Science, Health, Society Provides Students and Professionals Alike With ...
MORRISVILLE, N.C., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentris Corporation (www.gentris.com), a global leader in pharmacogenomics and biorepository services, announced today that it has expanded its genomic biomarker services by incorporating multiple technology platforms into its 24,000 sq. ft., CLIA-certified, GLP-compliant laboratory. Gentris has integrated the Affymetrix GCS3000, Sequenom MassArray, and LifeTech Ion Torrent technologies in a continued effort to identify polymorphisms involved in drug response and adverse drug events as well as in determining somatic mutations in cancer.
Gentris has utilized Affymetrix DMET Plus analysis in a number of clinical studies, including oncology clinical trials. DMET Plus analysis allows drug developers to understand how variations in drug metabolism enzymes and drug transporters between patients affects adverse drug responses and treatment efficacy. This type of analysis has been implemented by major pharmaceutical companies in Phase I through Phase III clinical trials focused on numerous therapeutic areas. Most recently, Gentris collaborated with Dr. Howard McLeod of UNC-Chapel Hill to assess the risk of sensory neuropathy in breast cancer patients with genetic variations in drug metabolizing enzymes.
With the integration of Sequenom's MassArray, Gentris is able to design customizable, multiplex panels of genes for use in clinical trials. The Company has already designed a custom panel for a top ten pharmaceutical company. In addition, Gentris offers the iPLEX ADME PGx panel, which examines 192 of the most common variants in 36 ADME genes; the OncoCarta Panel v1.0, which is a comprehensive screen of 19 oncogenes and 238 mutations; and the Sequenom Sample ID Plus panel, which ensures that chain of custody is maintained and that there is amplifiable DNA in the sample.
The latest platform to be brought online is LifeTech's Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM) for next generation sequencing. The Ion Torrent PGM allows for rapid, deep sequencing of large areas of the genome, which can efficiently identify both common and rare variations that may better predict the safety and efficacy of new drugs in development. Currently, Gentris is using the Ion Torrent PGM for discovery initiatives with its pharmaceutical partners as well as part of a collaboration with UNC-Chapel Hill.
Related Links: http://www.gentris.com
Quotes:
"The expansion of our services by using these platform technologies allows us to provide our clients quality and regulated services in all phases of the clinical development pipeline," said Dr. L.Scott Clark, Gentris Chief Scientific Officer. "It's very exciting to use the Ion Torrent for discovery initiatives, because the depth of coverage and resolution can reveal new SNPs and variations that may be clinically relevant. However, these results need to be verified on a second platform which Gentris can perform because of its extensive experience with real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, and Sequenom platforms."
"The key to successfully implementing pharmacogenomics is to use the right platform to answer your specific question," said Dr. Howard McLeod, Director of the UNC Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy and Gentris Chief Scientific Advisor. "By integrating multiple platforms, Gentris has the ability to address the needs of pharmaceutical clients during any stage in the clinical development of a drug. I'm excited to be working with them to discover, translate, and validate new biomarkers that will have an impact on patient care."
About Gentris Corporation:
Founded in 2001, Gentris is located in Research Triangle Park, NC, where it provides pharmacogenomics and biorepository support for all phases of clinical studies and genomic biomarker programs. The Company works with academic and industry leaders to translate innovations in pharmacogenomics into safer, more effective medicines, which can lead to accelerated drug development and improvement in patient care globally.
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Gentris Corporation Launches New Pharmacogenomics Services
MORRISVILLE, N.C., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Gentris Corporation (www.gentris.com), a global leader in pharmacogenomics and biorepository solutions, announced today that it will begin a collaborative study with a major pharmaceutical company to test the long-term stability of DNA in whole blood samples that have been stored for five and ten years. This study will provide insight into the optimal, long-term storage of clinical samples to ensure adequate DNA integrity for future pharmacogenomics testing.
The three phase collaboration aims to investigate the effects of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on DNA from whole blood, both fresh and archived. In order to evaluate these effects, DNA will be extracted from archived whole blood samples after several freeze-thaw cycles and will undergo quantitative genotyping for specific genetic variations. Variants were chosen to evaluate both large and small deletions to assess DNA integrity. The results will be compared to genotyping data from the same samples before long-term storage and to similarly treated, freshly collected blood samples. A pharmaceutical partner will provide archived samples and the associated data. Gentris will provide freshly collected samples and perform the genotyping analysis.
The goal of this collaboration is to determine the impact of long term storage and multiple freeze-thaw cycles on the integrity of DNA from whole blood samples. With this data, Gentris will be able to determine whether archived samples would be best stored as whole blood or extracted DNA to ensure sufficient sample quality for future analysis. Maintaining high-quality samples allows pharmaceutical companies to utilize these biospecimens as needed during the entire drug development process, which typically takes several years to complete.
Related Links: http://www.gentris.com
Quotes: "We look forward to collaborating with our pharmaceutical partner to investigate an important question as more companies establish long-term archives of clinical samples," said Eric Hall, Gentris Vice President of Clinical Operations and Biorepository Services. "Because technologies are improving rapidly and the drug development process is lengthy, pharmaceutical companies can gain significant value from reanalyzing samples in order to refine later phases of clinical trials or answer questions that arise during development. Proper handling and storage of samples is the foundation for driving innovation in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine."
About Gentris Corporation: Founded in 2001, Gentris is located in Research Triangle Park, NC, where it provides pharmacogenomics and biorepository support for all phases of clinical studies and genomic biomarker programs. The Company works with academic and industry leaders to translate innovations in pharmacogenomics into safer, more effective medicines, which can lead to accelerated drug development and improvement in patient care globally. In the past year, Gentris significantly expanded its facility and onsite biorepository to meet the increased needs of biopharma clients, while maintaining a preeminent quality system.
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Gentris Corporation Announces Collaboration to Study Blood Stability
MORRISVILLE, N.C., Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Gentris Corporation (www.gentris.com), a global leader in pharmacogenomics and biorepository solutions, announced today the completion of a significant expansion to their Morrisville, N.C. facility. The first phase of the expansion included additional office space and a large, multipurpose conference room, which will accommodate scientific training and education programs. The second phase of construction tripled the available capacity of the clinical sample biorepository in order to meet future demand.
Gentris continues to invest in capabilities and capacity to address the growing personalized medicine market. As more pharmaceutical companies pursue biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies, there is a growing need to collect and store patient samples for analysis. The expanded biorepository will ensure sufficient capacity to accommodate the sample storage and management needs of pharmaceutical clients that are implementing pharmacogenomics in clinical trials. In addition to biorepository space, Gentris has added a large conference room to host scientific training and education programs that will focus on providing up-to-date information on best practices for integrating pharmacogenomics into drug development.
Eric Hall, Gentris VP of Clinical Operations and Biorepository Services, will be chairing a session on Strategic Specimen Tracking as part of the Biorepository track at the Clinical Business Expo 2012 in Boston on September 19-20.
Related Links: http://www.gentris.com
Quotes:
"As demand for clinical sample storage grows, we needed a larger, dedicated facility for sample management and biosrepository functions," said Eric Hall, Gentris VP of Clinical Operations and Biorepository. "Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly recognizing the value of banking clinical trial samples for immediate or future testing. By tripling the size of our biorepository space, we have increased our flexibility to manage and store a large number of diverse sample types and serve our rapidly expanding client base."
"We anticipate an increased need for biorepository and pharmacogenomics testing services as pharmaceutical companies invest in personalized medicine," said Scott Clark, Gentris Chief Scientific Officer. "The recent expansion will enable us to continue providing high quality solutions to our clients as well as to host training and education programs focused on maximizing the benefits of integrating pharmacogenomics and biobanking into clinical trials."
About Gentris Corporation:
Founded in 2001, Gentris is located in Research Triangle Park, NC, where it provides pharmacogenomics and biorepository support for all phases of clinical studies and genomic biomarker programs. The Company works with academic and industry leaders to translate innovations in pharmacogenomics into safer, more effective medicines, which can lead to accelerated drug development and improvement in patient care globally.
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Gentris Corporation Expands Headquarters, Biorepository
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/h3n97n/companion_diagnost) has announced the addition of the "Companion Diagnostics in Personalized Medicine and Cancer Therapy" report to their offering.
Companion diagnostics (CDx) refers to a particular clinical diagnostic test that is under evaluation and is specifically linked to a known drug therapy. This linkage could be important in the therapeutic application and clinical outcome of a drug, such as with personalized medicine for oncology patients. The molecular diagnostics field plays a vital part in personalized medicine and has greatly expanded over the past twenty years, expanding by more than 20% annually compared to most other laboratory procedures. Research will continue to produce an increased understanding of disease processes, and diagnostics manufacturers will continue to expand and refine the technology and automation needed for clinical testing. Companion diagnostics, although smaller at present, is one of the fastest growing segments in the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) market. And while the concept of a drug-diagnostic combination is not new, it has only recently started to generate interest with the move of healthcare towards pharmacogenomics.
This TriMark Publications report examines the use of companion diagnostics in personalized medicine and cancer therapy. The study provides a qualitative and quantitative review of the industry, including cancer biomarker tests, pharmacogenomics tests, recurrence prediction tests, blood-based technologies, proteomics and regulatory trends. Moreover, this analysis profiles the leading companies that are developing and manufacturing companion diagnostics solutions. Each company is discussed in extensive depth with a section on its history, product line, business and marketing analysis, and a subjective commentary of the company's market position. Detailed tables and charts with sales forecasts and market share data are also included.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Overview
2. Companion Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine
3. Companion Diagnostics: Qualitative and Quantitative Market Analysis
4. Trends and Overview
5. Biomarker Tests Co-developed with Cancer Therapeutics as Companion Diagnostics
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Research and Markets: Companion Diagnostics in Personalized Medicine and Cancer Therapy
LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (SNTA) today announced encouraging results from a planned interim analysis of the GALAXY trial, a randomized Phase 2b/3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Companys lead Hsp90 inhibitor, ganetespib, in combination with standard-of-care docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The GALAXY trial is based on a two-stage, operationally adaptive design. The first-stage, randomized, open-label, 240-patient Phase 2b portion of the trial is designed to enroll Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients who have progressed following one prior line of therapy, with the goal of determining biomarkers predictive of ganetespib activity. Results will be used to guide choice of patient population for the Phase 3 stage of the trial.
Patients in the GALAXY trial are randomized 1:1 to receive ganetespib plus docetaxel or docetaxel alone. Patients in both arms receive a standard regimen of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1 of a 21-day cycle; patients in the combination arm receive in addition ganetespib 150 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15. Treatment continues until disease progression per RECIST 1.1 criteria.
The co-primary endpoints of GALAXY are PFS (progression-free survival) in patients with elevated baseline level of serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and PFS in the mutant KRAS population. PFS and OS (overall survival) in all adenocarcinoma patients are key secondary endpoints. Serum LDH levels and tumor KRAS mutation status are assessed by independent central laboratories.
Elevated LDH: Elevated baseline LDH occurs in approximately one quarter to one third of advanced cancer patients in clinical trials and is prognostic of poor clinical outcomes in many cancer types, including lung cancer.[1-3] While elevated LDH can result from several conditions, in cancer patients elevated levels of LDH and its isoforms have been associated with tumor hypoxia (lack of oxygen).[4,5] Inhibition of hypoxia pathways has been shown to enhance anti-cancer activity of taxanes and other chemotherapies.[6] Recent results from trials evaluating agents that target hypoxia-related pathways, including VEGF and mTOR inhibitors, have shown correlation between elevated LDH and improved clinical activity.[7-10] In laboratory experiments, treatment with ganetespib potently suppresses HIF-1alpha, a critical regulator of hypoxic pathways[11] supporting potential application for ganetespib in combination with taxanes in this patient population.
KRAS mutation: Activating KRAS mutations, estimated to occur in 15-30% of NSCLC patients, are also associated with poor clinical outcomes and limited therapeutic options.[12,13] Hsp90 is required for the proper function of a number of key signaling proteins in the KRAS pathway, while inhibition of Hsp90 by ganetespib has shown promising activity in laboratory models of this disease.[14] Recent results from trials evaluating ganetespib monotherapy in lung, colon, and gastric cancers have further suggested promising potential in patients with KRAS mutations.
Based on a target enrollment of 240 adenocarcinoma patients, GALAXY is 90% powered to detect a PFS improvement from 6 to 12 weeks in elevated LDH patients and from 5 weeks to 10 weeks in the mutant KRAS patients. For the key secondary endpoints: in all adenocarcinoma patients, GALAXY is 88% powered to detect an improvement in PFS from 3 to 4.5 months, and 73% powered to detect an improvement in OS from 6 to 8.5 months. All powering assumptions are based on a 1-sided alpha of 0.05. An interim analysis was planned when approximately 50% of patients had been enrolled and had sufficient follow up, defined as one post-baseline scan.
GALAXY Interim Results
At the time of this interim analysis, a total of 114 adenocarcinoma and 69 non-adenocarcinoma patients had been enrolled. Following a review earlier this year that determined low likelihood of benefit in the non-adenocarcinoma population, the trial was modified to enroll only adenocarcinoma patients. Results reported below are for adenocarcinoma patients only.
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Synta Announces Results from Interim Analysis of the Randomized Phase 2b/3 GALAXY Trial Evaluating Ganetespib plus ...