Pharmacogenomics News and Research

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The terms pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics are often used interchangeably to describe a field of research focused on how genes affect individual responses to medicines. Whether a medicine works well for you—or whether it causes serious side effects—depends, to a certain extent, on your genes.

New project analyzes genetic sequence and variations of every gene expressed by 1,000 tumors

No two tumors are alike, but analyzing the genetics of cancers from different parts of the body may reveal surprising details useful for treatment and prevention.

22 Dec 2009

Study to determine link between insulin glargine and cancer

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Recently published studies suggested that insulin glargine (a synthetic insulin preparation marketed under the trade name Lantus), may be associated with a higher risk of certain cancers than other insulins or oral glucose lowering medications. However, these studies were unable to control for important factors such as obesity that may have driven the association.

15 Dec 2009

Diabetic patients exposed to insulin glargine have higher incidence of cancer, shows study

14 Dec 2009

Transgenomic's SURVEYOR Scan K-RAS mutation detection kit launched

Transgenomic, Inc. announced today the launch of its SURVEYOR Scan K-RAS kit, the first in a family of mutation detection kits the company plans to offer featuring its proprietary SURVEYOR Nuclease and WAVE® HS DHPLC platform. SURVEYOR Scan technology is a novel approach to mutation detection that uses a PCR amplification reaction and hybridization to form heteroduplex DNA molecules in samples with K-RAS mutation.

9 Dec 2009

New pharmacology textbook released by Elsevier

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, proudly announces the early success and rapid acceptance of its recently released Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Principles to Practice, an innovative new pharmacology textbook designed to better meet the needs of today's residents and practitioners.

8 Dec 2009

Study identifies genetic link between vitamin D and heart disease

Previous studies have shown a link between low vitamin D status and heart disease. Now a new study shows that patients with high blood pressure who possess a gene variant that affects an enzyme critical to normal vitamin D activation are twice as likely as those without the variant to have congestive heart failure.

2 Dec 2009

Emerging cancer vaccines: Forecasts, new developments and pipeline analysis

The H1N1 vaccine has spurred media interest in vaccines, as well as predictions of vaccines for a host of new diseases. According to Kalorama Information, certain cancers may be added to the list of diseases for which vaccinations will be employed.

25 Nov 2009

FDA grants Fast Track designation for ARCA biopharma's Gencaro

ARCA biopharma, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated as a Fast Track development program the investigation of GencaroTM, the Company’s investigational, pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator, for the reduction of cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations in a genotype-defined heart failure population.

23 Nov 2009

TGen Drug Development and IPC collaborate to speed up research discoveries for cancer patients

TGen Drug Development (TD2) and the Institut Paoli-Calmettes (IPC) have forged a strategic alliance that will enable both to maximize their worldwide contributions in the treatment of cancer patients.

20 Nov 2009

PsoriasisDX to present seminar on Genetic Screening for Psoriatic Arthritis

A seminar on Genetic Screening for Psoriatic Arthritis will be presented on Tuesday, December 8 from 12-1 PM Pacific Standard Time, hosted by pharmacogenomics research and development innovators PsoriasisDX, pioneers of the world’s first genetic test for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The seminar will feature leading experts Dr. John Koo and Dr. Wilson Liao.

17 Nov 2009

ARCA biopharma provides financial and Gencaro NDA update

ARCA biopharma, Inc. today announced its planned next steps in response to the May 29, 2009 Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ARCA’s New Drug Application (NDA) seeking approval for GencaroTM (bucindolol hydrochloride) for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure. Following receipt of the CRL, the Company and the FDA have held a series of meetings to discuss how best to address the requirements identified in the CRL.

17 Nov 2009

ACM Global Central Laboratory celebrates landmark anniversary

ACM Global Central Laboratory, the global central lab that continually defines the customer-service standard with its flexible approach, is this week celebrating its 10th anniversary of providing central laboratory services throughout Europe.

2 Nov 2009

Treatment of angina patients with ivabradine reduces risk of cardiovascular death

Dramatic reductions in hospitalization for heart attacks and in the need for revascularization surgery were achieved in angina patients treated with the selective heart rate reduction medication ivabradine on top of current standard treatment, according to results of a major clinical study presented today at the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Edmonton.

29 Oct 2009

IPIT uses Affymetrix’s DMET Plus biomarker panel to expand the PGENI

Affymetrix, Inc. announced today that the Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy (IPIT) at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill is using the company’s DMET™ Plus biomarker panel to expand the Pharmacogenetics for Every Nation Initiative (PGENI).

28 Oct 2009

Physicians' recognize benefits of genetic testing; say formal education required to put it into practice

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(NYSE: MHS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) today announced the findings of a national benchmark survey on physicians' acceptance, use and education regarding pharmacogenomic testing.

23 Oct 2009

Ambry Genetics awarded CSP status for Agilent's SureSelect Target Enrichment System

Agilent Technologies Inc. and Ambry Genetics today announced that Ambry is the first organization to achieve Certified Service Provider (CSP) status for Agilent's SureSelect Target Enrichment System for next-generation sequencing.

23 Oct 2009

Diagnostics industry in Asia Pacific poised to present more growth opportunities

The global diagnostics industry has witnessed strong growth over the past few years. According to Frost & Sullivan, the diagnostics and monitoring sectors are poised to present more growth opportunities. According to Nitin Naik, Vice President of Frost & Sullivan's Asia Pacific Medical Technologies Division, the diagnostics and monitoring sectors in Asia Pacific are projected to provide more growth opportunities on the basis of the technology spending being channelled in these areas (80 percent).

13 Oct 2009

Transgenomic adds DFCI's Cold-PCR mutation detection technology to its portfolio

Transgenomic, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TBIO). The company announced today that it has licensed a high-sensitivity mutation detection technology called Cold-PCR from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Boston, MA.

9 Oct 2009

The CE Marked HairDX Genetic Test for Hair Loss launched in Europe

The HairDX Genetic Test for Hair Loss, the world’s first genetic baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia) test, is now available as a CE Marked product under the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive.

8 Oct 2009

Ingenuity Systems, Millennium Science announce a multi-year deal for Ingenuity Pathway Analysis with QFAB

Ingenuity Systems, the leading provider of information solutions for life science researchers, and Millennium Science, Ingenuity Systems' exclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand, today announced a multi-year deal for Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) with the Queensland Facility for Advanced Bioinformatics (QFAB).

6 Oct 2009