LONDON, October 30 -- London Genetics Limited, an expert in
the use of pharmacogenetics in clinical drug discovery and development, has
entered an intensive partnering programme following on from its successful
pharmacogenetic conference in September(1). The meeting recognised that while
pharmacogenetics and genetics have great potential in helping the
biopharmaceutical industry overcome its many challenges, early clinical
collaboration between companies, academia, regulators and payers is now
needed.
The company will over the coming months be attending several conferences
in the UK, Europe and the US to highlight its pharmacogenetics expertise.
These include in November Bio-Europe 2009 (Vienna)(2), the 5th Annual Burrill
Personalised Medicine Meeting (San Francisco)(3), and the International
Congress on Genetics and Genomics at the American Heart Association meeting
(Orlando)(4), and in December, Genesis 2009 (London)(5).
Pharmacogenetics is the study of how our genetic make-up affects the way
in which we metabolise and respond to drugs. As a result, it is expected to
play a key role in the future of drug development and healthcare delivery as
the industry faces increasing pressure to replenish its pipeline and improve
drug safety. By combining its access to genetic expertise with strategic
advice on the application of pharmacogenetics in drug development, London
Genetics can help companies meet this need for smarter and more efficient
drug development. Given the genetic resources of its founding partners,
London Genetics has broad therapeutic experience with a focus on
cardiovascular drugs and cardiovascular safety.
The London Genetics Pharmacogenetics Conference 'Harnessing Genetic
Knowledge To Improve Clinical Development and Patient Care', was attended by
biopharmaceutical industry executives, as well as academics, regulatory
experts and leading geneticists. Debates and conclusions from the conference,
covering topics such as improvement of drug safety and the need to show
cost-effectiveness, are expected to be covered in a forthcoming publication.
Dominique Kleyn, CEO, commented 'Following on from our successful
inaugural conference, London Genetics is building on the raised profile of
pharmacogenetics in drug development with an intensive partnering programme.
By working with us throughout the drug development process biopharmaceutical
companies will gain the value of the pharmacogenetics expertise they need to
increase productivity, as well as drug safety, efficacy and
cost-effectiveness. Recent deals in the sector provide evidence of the
growing enthusiasm in this area and London Genetics is offering practical and
concrete support to help companies realise value from it'.
1 London Genetics Limited Pharmacogenetics Conference - Harnessing
Genetic Knowledge To Improve Clinical Development and Patient Care, 23rd -
24th September 2009, Tylney Hall, Hampshire, UK
2 BIO-Europe 2009, November 2 - 4 2009, Vienna, Austria
http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/
3 The Burrill Personalized Medicine Meeting, November 9-10 2009, San
Francisco, USA
http://www.burrillandco.com/personalized_medicine_2009/
4 International Congress on Genetics and Genomics at the American Heart
Association, November 14-18 2009, Orlando, USA
http://scientificsessions.americanheart.org/portal/scientificsessions/ss/
icgg2009
(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste
this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)
5 Genesis 2009, December 10-11 2009, London, UK
http://www.genesisconference.com/
Notes to Editors:
About London Genetics
London Genetics Limited is a not-for-profit company which expedites
pharmacogenetic and biomarker partnerships between industry and academia for
more effective targeted drug development, and addition of value to marketed
medicines. Established in 2007 with funding from the London Development
Agency, its seven founding partners are leading London academic and medical
institutions with clinical and genetic expertise and significant patient
resources. The company provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
with access to this expertise and resource, as well as providing strategic
advice on the application of pharmacogenetics for successful drug
development. LGL's area of focus is cardiovascular disease and drug
side-effects of a cardiovascular nature. Recent agreements developed by
London Genetics include a collaboration between the International Serious
Adverse Events Consortium, St George's University of London and the Drug
Safety Research Unit at Southampton, UK. The parties are working on genetic
markers for drug-induced cardiac arrhythmia. The company is based at the
Imperial College Incubator in London, and has ISO 9001:2008 accreditation.
For further information, please go to http://www.londongenetics.com.
About pharmacogenetics
Genetic differences between individuals means that drug response rates
are often variable across a population, and this has significant healthcare
cost effectiveness implications. Pharmocogenetics, the study of the clinical
consequences of genetic differences in the way people metabolise and respond
to drugs, is expected to generate better understanding of how drugs work in
the body, and therefore give insight into how to develop more efficacious and
safer drugs. It also has implications for product life cycle management and
the revitalisation of drugs which previously failed in clinical trials. With
drug development costs rising and R&D productivity falling, plus increased
regulator focus on safety and cost-effectiveness, pharmacogenetics is
expected to become increasingly important in drug development. The FDA and
the EMEA have recognised this in their Critical Path Initiative and Road Map
respectively.
For further information or to meet us at conferences please contact:
London Genetics Ltd
Dominique Kleyn, CEO +44(0)207-594-1838
Emma Palmer Foster, Strategic Communications Consultant +44(0)7880-787185
communications@londongenetics.com
SOURCE London Genetics Ltd
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