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Institut Curie, Ipsogen sign scientific collaboration agreement in breast cancer domain

The INSTITUT CURIE and IPSOGEN (FR0010626028 - ALIPS) announce the signing of a scientific collaboration agreement in the breast cancer domain. Within the framework of this project, the current scientific knowledge on Ipsogen's MapQuant Dx Grade Genomic, HER2 and HR tests will be increased thanks to new data established from a large population of patients treated at the Institut Curie.

11 Jan 2010

Biomarker may enable personalized GVHD treatment for bone marrow transplant patients

University of Michigan researchers have identified the first biomarker of graft-versus-host disease of the skin. The discovery makes possible a simple blood test that should solve a treatment dilemma facing doctors with patients who frequently develop rashes after bone marrow transplants.

9 Jan 2010

Plexxikon commences dosing in PLX4032 Phase 3 trial for metastatic melanoma

Plexxikon Inc. announces that enrollment has been initiated and the first patient has been dosed in a pivotal Phase 3 trial of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with metastatic melanoma. PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly targeted drug that is designed to inhibit the BRAF cancer-causing mutation that occurs in about 50 percent of melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors. The randomized, controlled, Phase 3 “BRAF Inhibitor in Melanoma” (BRIM3) trial in previously untreated patients is part of the planned registration program for PLX4032.

9 Jan 2010

Pfizer and Debiopharm Group enter into co-development agreement to conduct Phase 3 trial of tremelimumab

Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) and Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm) announced today that they have entered into a co-development agreement to conduct a Phase 3 trial of tremelimumab (CP675,206), a fully human anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients with unresectable, Stage IV melanoma.

8 Jan 2010

Response Genetics and Genetic Technologies sign exclusive distribution and services agreement

Response Genetics Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, and Genetic Technologies Ltd. (ASX: GTG; NASDAQ: GENE), the leading private genetic testing laboratory in Australia, today announced an exclusive distribution and services agreement.

7 Jan 2010

Carbon nanotube: A viable alternative for rapid DNA sequencing

Faster sequencing of DNA holds enormous potential for biology and medicine, particularly for personalized diagnosis and customized treatment based on each individual's genomic makeup.

4 Jan 2010

DMET genotyping platform screens for 1256 genetic variations in 170 genes

It's the ultimate goal in the treatment of cancer: tailoring a person's therapy based on his or her genetic makeup. While a lofty goal, scientists are steadily moving forward, rapidly exploiting new technologies. Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center report a significant advance in this field of research using a new chip that looks for hundreds of mutations in dozen of genes.

29 Dec 2009

Study suggests genetic variations predispose African-Americans to diabetes

For years, scientists have tried to determine the basis for discrepancies between race and the predisposition for development of diseases such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Could factors such as differences in lifestyle or access to health care play a role, or is there something else in play?

29 Dec 2009

Tel Aviv University's new Genome Analyzer fuels research dreams and tomorrow's cures

To identify the hemophilia mutation that affected Queen Victoria and her European relatives, scientific detectives used a cutting-edge "deep sequencing tool." Able to trace rare genetic disease mutations, the tool can turn a single laboratory into a fertile genetic research center.

22 Dec 2009

Genome-wide study of African and African-American ancestry released by scientists

People who identify as African-American may be as little as 1 percent West African or as much as 99 percent, just one finding of a large-scale, genome-wide study of African and African-American ancestry released today.

22 Dec 2009

TSI organizes clinical, research and educational programs

The Wake Forest University Translational Science Institute (TSI) has announced a number of organizational changes. Four programs and four specialized centers have been organized to function collaboratively in support of research conducted at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

18 Dec 2009

Regado Biosciences announces completion of Series D financing

Regado Biosciences, Inc., a privately held company leading the development of antithrombotic therapeutic aptamers with active control agents, today announced the completion of a $40 million Series D financing.

18 Dec 2009

Almac Diagnostics expands its Bioinformatics department

Almac has shown significant growth in the last year, with employee numbers growing by 15% in the UK and 10% in the US. For the Diagnostics division, this trend continues through the expansion of the Bioinformatics Department and the subsequent opening of a dedicated bioinformatics facility in Manchester (UK).

16 Dec 2009

Cellular Dynamics International launches iCell Cardiomyocytes

Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) today announced the commercial launch of iCell(TM) Cardiomyocytes for use in testing of new drug candidates by the pharmaceutical industry.

16 Dec 2009

University of Maryland School of Nursing to spearhead new Center for Pain Studies

The University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore is "uniquely poised" to spearhead a new collaborative Center for Pain Studies funded by a $2.4 million, five-year federal grant, said Susan Dorsey, PhD, RN, director of the center.

11 Dec 2009

GPEC receives unrestricted grant of $250,000 to study new treatments for breast cancer

Located at Vancouver General Hospital and a partner of the BC Cancer Agency, the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, led by three prominent pathologists, is a recognized world leader in cancer research in the area of biomarker technology. Today, with an additional unrestricted grant of $250,000 from sanofi-aventis, GPEC is ready to make even more scientific breakthroughs.

9 Dec 2009

Market for personalized medicine in the United States to grow 11 percent annually, shows report

The market for personalized medicine in the United States is already $232 billion, and it is projected to grow 11 percent annually, according to a new report published today by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, entitled The Science of Personalized Medicine: Translating the Promise into Practice.

8 Dec 2009

NIH director to speak on new horizons for human health in biomedical research

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health and recipient of the nation’s highest scientific honors, will address the National Press Club Dec. 21 on “Biomedical research: New horizons for human health.”

5 Dec 2009

Oncologists optimistic about the potential of clinical trials for personalized medicine

According to a national poll of oncologists and clinical research professionals, there is a high level of optimism about the potential of clinical trials for personalized medicine. While oncologists view cost as a barrier to treatment and research, they think policy initiatives are opportunities to effectively promote personalized medicine.

4 Dec 2009

Bioactive sponge to eliminate normally fatal tumors

InCytu Incorporated, a therapeutic device engineering company, announced the details of its Cellarium™ Cancer Vaccine program. Cellarium™ is a small bioactive sponge which regulates dendritic cells and T-cells to eliminate normally fatal tumors in a preclinical model of late stage melanoma. The details of such a promising new vaccine were published for the first time in Science’s Translational Medicine Journal.

2 Dec 2009