Category Archives: Health

What is new in the field of Health. Trending topics, and cutting edge research in the are of Health. Press Releases that give us updates on Health.

Best Practices and Benefits of qPCR Automation, Upcoming Webinar Hosted by Xtalks


With over 50 years of experience, Gilson has the knowledge, expertise and equipment to support the scientific community in maintaining complete confidence in qPCR sample integrity. In this webinar, attendees will learn the fundamentals of qPCR automation and related techniques, as well as the many benefits that automation brings to the lab. Attendees will discover how labs can implement automation with practically no learning curve.

Join this webinar as the featured speaker, Jeremy Poulet Benedetti, PhD, Applications Specialist at Gilson, will explore strategies for qPCR setup and related workflows using the PIPETMAX® and the best practices for workflow optimization, liquid handling and customization. They will also cover pre-written methods, popular software choices and training opportunities.

Join the live webinar on Friday, November 03, 2023, at 10am EDT (3pm CET/EU-Central).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit Best Practices and Benefits of qPCR Automation.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com
For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

Media Contact

Ayesha Rashid, Xtalks, +1 (416) 977-6555 x272, arashid@xtalks.com

SOURCE Xtalks

New Genedata Expressionist Release Revolutionizes Result Evaluation in MS-Based Analysis of Biotherapeutics


Developed in close collaboration with leading biopharma partners, Genedata Expressionist evolves with each release to meet the latest industry requirements, enabling out-of-the-box implementation of custom solutions. Genedata Expressionist 17.5 goes further by introducing an extended API that takes customization to a new level. Biopharma organizations can now seamlessly integrate bespoke software functionalities into Genedata Expressionist, enabling internal experts—or Genedata professional services—to leverage their domain knowledge and programming skills to deliver data processing, analysis, and reporting workflows that meet unique business needs.

“To maximize efficiencies in today’s data-driven drug development processes, automation must extend across entire analytical workflows, including traditional process bottlenecks such as expert review” stated Othmar Pfannes, Ph.D., CEO of Genedata. “By simplifying and accelerating data review and offering unmatched data processing flexibility, this release solidifies the position of Genedata Expressionist as the industry front-runner for streamlining and automating MS-based analytical workflows and provides biopharma organizations with faster, more accurate, and more efficient ways of working.”

About Genedata
Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions that incorporate extensive biopharma R&D domain knowledge. Multinational biopharmaceutical organizations and cutting-edge biotechs around the globe rely on Genedata to digitalize and automate data-rich and complex R&D processes. From early discovery all the way to the clinic, Genedata solutions help maximize the ROI in R&D expenditure. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with additional offices in Boston, London, Munich, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo.
http://www.genedata.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/genedata/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Genedata
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/GenedataSoftware

Contact 
Allison Kurz
Genedata
Public Relations
[email protected]

Disclaimer
The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company’s products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Media Contact

Allison Kurz, Genedata, +41 61 511 84 00, [email protected], www.genedata.com

SOURCE Genedata



How far we’ve come and where we’re going with PK data, Upcoming Webinar Hosted by Xtalks


Join this webinar to gain insights into PK in FIH trials and how the data is essential for driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.

Join experts from Worldwide Clinical Trials, Sherilyn Adcock, RPh, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Early Phase Development; and Jeffrey G. Stark, PhD, Senior Director, Head of Pharmacokinetics, for the live webinar on Monday, November 06, 2023, at 11am EST (4pm GMT/UK).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit FIH Trial Trends: How far we’ve come and where we’re going with PK data.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com
For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

Media Contact

Vera Kovacevic, Xtalks, +1 (416) 977-6555 x371, vkovacevic@xtalks.com

SOURCE Xtalks

Citrine Angels Invests $1,000,000 in Female Founded Startups


“Less than two percent of venture capital went to female-founded companies in 2022, a stat that has been stagnant for decades,” said Allyson Redpath, co-founder, Citrine. “Citrine Angels was founded with a mission to educate and encourage women to write checks to support women-owned startups. We aim to move the needle by providing an investment platform and resources for women to invest in women.”

The news is being announced during DC Startup Week, where Citrine is anchoring the Female Founders and Funders sub-track with a panel on the importance of women investing in women. Citrine is the largest angel investment group focused on women in the region. Half of Citrine’s portfolio companies are from Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C., as are the majority of its members.

“Making this announcement at DC Startup Week is the perfect way to celebrate such a tremendous accomplishment and drives home the message of how important it is for women to invest in women,” said Rachel Koretsky, director of DC Startup Week. “Citrine Angels deserves the most enthusiastic congratulations for their tireless support of female founders. There are so many women out there building businesses that have significant implications for the future, and organizations like Citrine are the key to bringing their ambitions and ideas to life.”

Citrine invests in early-stage venture-backable female-founded startups. While industry agnostic, 40 percent of its investments have been in consumer-related companies, 26 percent in tech and 20 percent in medical and biotech. To date, Citrine’s portfolio companies have gone on to collectively raise more than $400 million USD. Citrine accepts online applications on a year-round basis.

“From the beginning, Citrine’s approach has been to remove all barriers for investment and focus on having a continuous stream of opportunities,” said Michelle Olenoski, head of Citrine’s Deal Flow Committee. “Notably, we do not impose a minimum investment requirement on our Citrine members. This strategy has cultivated a diverse group of members, many of whom are making their inaugural venture investment. By pooling resources, our members collaborate to champion investments that range from $50,000 to $100,000 and beyond.”

Citrine’s members are accomplished female executives across a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Many members are entrepreneurs themselves or executives at well-known organizations such as Gartner, AirBnB, Amazon Web Services, Capital One and Children’s National Innovation and Research Institute. One-third of the current membership identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women, as do nearly half of the Board.

“I’m excited to be a part of the $1 million milestone as an investor in several portfolio companies,” said Lisa Conners, executive coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. “Citrine Angels provides a unique opportunity to educate myself on startup investing and to build my portfolio, all while in community with dynamic, entrepreneurial women.”

To learn more about Citrine and its portfolio companies, please visit citrineangels.com.

About Citrine Angels

Citrine Angels, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit based in the Washington, D.C. metro region, is the largest angel investing organization in the mid-Atlantic region pledged solely to the support of female-founded companies. Comprised of more than 50 women angel investors committed to empowering female entrepreneurs through investments and mentorship, Citrine aims to close the gender funding gap and increase the number of successful women-led businesses. Our focus is to provide both the financial backing and the necessary resources, networks, and expertise to help female-founded businesses grow and succeed. Visit us at citrineangels.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Elyssa Haynes, Citrine Angels, 1 8043383102, [email protected], citrineangels.com 

LinkedIn  

SOURCE Citrine Angels

Support, Inc. Helps Individuals and Families with Innovative Services through the Family Caregiver Program


“From my first contact with Support, Inc. it has been an amazing experience. The team is so friendly, easy going and open,” says Lucero. “I can’t stress enough what a gift Support Inc. has been to Tatum and our family. It has given us the ability to pay an additional caregiver of our choosing. It is such a relief to be able to provide the care that we find suitable for our daughter, while we continue to work.”

Tatum has mild intellectual disabilities. Lucero serves as Tatum’s primary family caregiver. Support, Inc. gives them access to an additional team of caregivers to provide Tatum with the help and support she needs, when she needs it – from integrated health care services and life skills development to access to community-based social activities and more.

“Support, Inc. understands the challenges and pressures that family caregivers face each day,” said Bentley Smith, CEO at Support, Inc. “We believe that caregivers should be recognized for their invaluable work and have access to the necessary support and compensation they deserve. Our Family Caregiver Program aims to alleviate the stress and burden on caregivers, ensuring they can continue to provide the highest quality care while maintaining their own well-being.”

The Family Caregiver Program offers numerous benefits to support caregivers and their loved ones, including:

Flexibility and Customized Care:
Caregivers have the maximum flexibility to create their own care plans, including the option to be compensated themselves or have a family member compensated for providing care. They can also choose to hire non-family members to provide care. Support, Inc. ensures that each plan is tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of the family.

Comprehensive Support:
The program provides residential supports, respite care options, and additional resources to meet the individual needs of each family caregiver. These comprehensive supports help to alleviate the burden on caregivers and enhance the well-being of both the caregiver and their loved one.

Training and Professional Development:
Support, Inc. provides caregivers with simple and clear training options at no cost in order to improve their skills. This emphasis on training contributes to the overall quality of care provided and is also a professional development opportunity for caregivers, empowering them to learn and grow.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits:
Support, Inc. values the commitment and dedication of family caregivers and offers a competitive pay rate, and access to a comprehensive employment benefits plan. This ensures that caregivers receive fair compensation for their important work, providing financial stability and security.

24-Hour Support Line:
The program includes a 24-hour after-hours support line, ensuring that caregivers have access to assistance and guidance whenever they need it most. This round-the-clock support gives caregivers peace of mind, knowing that help is always available.

“Here at Support, Inc., we encourage family caregivers throughout Colorado, to explore our creative Family Caregiver Program and take advantage of the comprehensive support and compensation available to them” says Smith.

For more information on the Family Caregiver Program (https://www.supportinc.com/residential-services/family-caregiver-program/), become a paid family caregiver or inquire about eligibility, please contact Brian Slusarz at [email protected] or click here to complete our contact form (https://www.supportinc.com/contact/).

With more than 33 years of experience, the Support, Inc. (https://www.supportinc.com/) team offers a wide range of residential, day and clinical services to clients across the front range of Colorado. Support, Inc. has a unique, whole-person approach that allows caregivers to develop a deep understanding of each individual’s needs. As a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA), Support, Inc. is Medicaid certified and its programs are approved by the State of Colorado. Support, Inc. is redefining the life experience for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Media Contact

Tammy Stratton, Support, Inc., 303-947-6531, [email protected], https://www.supportinc.com/

SOURCE Support, Inc.

USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital Goes Live with AdaptX for Maternal Health Equity Initiative


“AdaptX is transforming the way we approach maternal health equity,” said Vicki Curtis, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, director of women’s services for USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital. “With self-serve data insights from AdaptX, we are able, for the first time, to rapidly identify and address disparities in care. AdaptX’s real-time perspective is helping our team generate the awareness, focus, and hope we need to deliver improvements for our patients.”

As part of this innovative maternal health initiative, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital is receiving unique change management training and support from the IHI’s quality improvement experts, reflecting the IHI’s commitment to improving health equity.

“Maternal health equity reflects IHI’s core mission to improve health and healthcare worldwide. We are excited to partner with USA Health and AdaptX to tackle one of the most egregious examples of health inequity in the US,” said Pierre M. Barker, MD, MBChB, chief scientific officer of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). “AdaptX brings powerful data capabilities that link a motivated health system to the best of improvement science. I’m hopeful that this partnership and approach will show practical solutions that will close maternal health equity gaps.”

“The AdaptX team is honored to partner with USA Health and the IHI to improve maternal health equity,” said Warren Ratliff, chief executive officer of AdaptX. “Our priority is to enable clinicians to diagnose and address disparities in care, and our team is inspired by the dedication of USA Health’s obstetrics team. We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support of the IHI and Merck for Mothers in this important work. Together, we will deepen our understanding of risks during the postpartum period and reduce inequities in morbidity and mortality.”

Healthcare leaders are using AdaptX to deliver solutions for their greatest challenges: increasing capacity and access, improving quality, enhancing equity, reducing burnout, and delivering efficiency. At a time when leaders are being asked to do more with less, AdaptX’s self-serve clinical management solution is maximizing the value of health systems’ investments in digital care.

About AdaptX

With AdaptX’s self-serve Adaptive Clinical Management™ solution, health systems transform clinical management, delivering dramatically better patient care and financial results. AdaptX’s AI-driven Mission Control Center™ empowers clinical leaders to quickly and easily leverage their real-world data to assess performance, compare approaches, and adapt – across patients, teams, protocols, workflows, and facilities.

AdaptX is headquartered in Seattle and was founded in 2016. Learn more at adaptx.com.

About USA Health

USA Health is the only academic health system along the upper Gulf Coast. With its hospitals and physician practice sites throughout the area, the health system melds clinical care, research, and healthcare education into the most advanced medical care in the region.

USA Health is nationally recognized for its Level I trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, burn center, Level III NICU, center for maternal-fetal medicine and cancer treatment. USA Health facilities include University Hospital, Children’s & Women’s Hospital, and recently acquired Providence Hospital.

About the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For more than 30 years, IHI has used improvement science to advance and sustain better outcomes in health and health systems across the world. IHI brings awareness of safety and quality to millions, catalyzes learning and the systematic improvement of care, develops solutions to previously intractable challenges, and mobilizes health systems, communities, regions, and nations to reduce harm and deaths. IHI collaborates with a growing community to spark bold, inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations. IHI generates optimism, harvests fresh ideas, and supports anyone, anywhere who wants to profoundly change health and health care for the better. Learn more at ihi.org.

Media Contact

Courtney Witter, AdaptX, 1 206-620-0233, [email protected], www.adaptx.com

SOURCE AdaptX

Productlife Group Acquires Strategiqual, Reinforcing Its Position As Quality & Regulatory Leader On The French Market


Xavier Duburcq, CEO of PLG, said: “This value-enhancing acquisition aligns with our disciplined M&A strategy, strengthening our position as a focused premium pharmaceutical and medical device services business, whilst further building our group’s end-to-end service offering. With this deal we are addressing the industry’s ever-growing need for best practice quality assurance due to the increasing complexity of product development, vigilance and manufacturing processes and associated regulatory requirements.”

Florent Audureau, added: “PLG is a highly regarded business that shares our commitment to delivering regulatory compliance as well as the highest quality services to the global healthcare industry. Strategiqual has been successful in building an extensive and stable client base and has inspired a high level of trust and confidence with many long-term relationships. Joining PLG provides us with an even stronger platform from which to grow our customer base, develop and scale up our offering and continue to deliver gold standard quality assurance services.”

Emmanuel Riffault, COO of PLG, commented, “Strategiqual’s unparalleled combination of business acumen, pharmaceutical and medical device expertise has formed a unique space in the Life Sciences market. We are excited to join forces with them to expand upon this platform together. This combination will significantly enhance PLG’s regulatory support services.”

About ProductLife Group:

ProductLife Group’s mission is to improve human health by delivering regulatory & compliance services for the safe and effective use of healthcare solutions. PLG supports clients through the entire product life cycle, combining local expertise with global reach spanning more than 150 countries. It provides consulting and outsourcing services in the areas of product development, regulatory affairs, quality management and compliance, vigilance and medical information, covering both established products and innovative therapeutics & diagnostics.

With a goal of continuously improving the value delivered to people and customers, PLG is committed to long-term partnership, innovation, flexibility, and cost efficiency.

For more information, visit https://productlifegroup.com/

Contact

Fabrice Galzin

ProductLife Group Head of Marketing

[email protected]

Strategiqual

Strategiqual is a leading consultancy organization highly skilled for drugs and medical devices. Strategiqual provides companies with a full range of innovative and customized services. Strategiqual’s assets/strengths: expertise, dynamism and reactivity. This is the spirit that allows Strategiqual to offer high-quality and recognized services in the areas of regulatory affairs, market access, quality management and training.

For more information, visit https://www.strategiqual.com/

Contact

Florent Audureau

[email protected]

Media Contact

Fabrice Galzin, ProductLife Group, 33 672 349 606, [email protected], https://www.productlifegroup.com/ 

SOURCE ProductLife Group

Coghlin Companies Extends Strategic Partnership with Fenway Sports Management and Boston Red Sox


“We are proud to continue our partnership with Coghlin Companies,” said Troup Parkinson, EVP, Partnerships, Boston Red Sox. “Our shared values and commitment to excellence make this collaboration special, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership over the next three years.”

Founded in 1885, Coghlin Companies is a fourth-generation, privately held family business providing commercialization services to global innovation leaders with foundational traits of trust and transparency. The alignment between these two organizations that share common values of teamwork, community advancement, and a winning spirit, is something special that is certain to leave an impact for years to come.

ABOUT COGHLIN COMPANIES

Coghlin Companies and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Columbia Tech and Cogmedix, are a fourth-generation, privately held Time to Market Services™ company providing world-class product development, manufacturing, global fulfillment, and aftermarket services to a diversified group of capital equipment innovators in the medical, life sciences, alternative energy, homeland security, robotics and automation, communications, semiconductor, LED, water treatment, and food and beverage industries. For more information, visit www.coghlincompanies.com.

Media Contact

Sarah Foley, Coghlin Companies, 1 (508) 713-4797, [email protected], https://www.coghlincompanies.com/

SOURCE Coghlin Companies

Boston IVF Showcases Pioneering Fertility Research at the 2023 ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo


This year, four distinguished individuals from Boston IVF were recognized nationally by the ASRM for their exceptional contributions:

  • Yuval Fouks, MD, PhD, MPH a dedicated Research Fellow at Boston IVF, was honored with the ASRM 2023 IN TRAINING AWARD FOR RESEARCH for his noteworthy publication in Fertility and Sterility. His paper, titled “The Impact of Fertility Treatments on Embryo Aneuploidy and Live Birthrates in Comparison to Patients with Normal Ovarian Reserve,” sheds light on the absence of significant impacts on embryo aneuploidy or live birth rates in patients with normal ovarian reserve. (Source: Fertility & Sterility)
  • Quetrell Heyward, MD, MBA, a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow at Boston IVF & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, received the prestigious ASRM 2023 INVESTIGATOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. This recognition was bestowed in acknowledgment of his insightful abstract titled “Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): More Is Not Always Better,” which highlights the nuances and considerations surrounding the effectiveness of IUI treatment.
  • Kim Thornton, MD, and Alan Penzias, MD, renowned reproductive endocrinologists at Boston IVF, were acknowledged during EMD Serono’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship Awards Recognition Ceremony as I’M IN R.E.I. DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP GRANT MENTORS. This recognition is a testament to their unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the field.

The roots of Boston IVF’s prolific research program run deep, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and other prestigious clinical affiliates. Since its inception, Boston IVF has contributed more than 500 papers and abstracts to the field, many of which have translated into life-changing innovations for individuals seeking successful pregnancies and family-building opportunities.

In 2019, Boston IVF expanded its global impact through a partnership with the renowned, Spain-based Eugin Group, broadening the scope of research possibilities and initiatives.

Led by Boston IVF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Denny Sakkas, PhD and Director of Clinical Research and board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, Denis Vaughan, MD, Boston IVF’s in-house, full-time research program consists of over 50 experts, including reproductive endocrinologists, scientists, embryologists, clinicians, data analysts, and more. Together, they play a pivotal role in advancing the field of reproductive science and introducing new clinical protocols, surgical techniques, public policy analyses, and other valuable insights to their peers worldwide.

“Through our dedicated research department, we strive daily to unravel the mysteries of fertility, unlocking the potential for hope and fulfillment for countless individuals and couples,” said Denis Vaughan, MD.

Denny Sakkas, PhD, also added, “Every discovery, every breakthrough, is a testament to our commitment to transforming dreams into reality.”

For over three decades, Boston IVF’s innovative research has yielded remarkable breakthroughs in fertility care, including several notable milestones:

David Stern, CEO of Boston IVF, expressed his enthusiasm for the 2023 ASRM Congress, noting, “We take pride in our many distinguished experts who presented at this exciting exposition. It reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing fertility treatment options and improving the lives of our patients. We are grateful for every opportunity to share our knowledge and collaborate with fellow experts in the field.”

Highlighted Boston IVF Presenters and Topics at the 2023 ASRM Congress:

  • Alan Penzias, MD: “ART Access for All: A Value-Based Analysis”
  • Ann Korkidakis, MD: “Racial and Ethnic Determinants of Access to Infertility Care in a State with a Comprehensive Infertility Mandate”
  • Denis Vaughan, MD: “Every Oocyte Matters: Physician, Embryologist, and Nurse Perspectives”
  • Denny Sakkas, PhD: “IVF Laboratory Grand Rounds: Real Cases, Real Challenges, Real Solutions”
  • Pietro Bortoletto, MD, MSc: “Taking Operative Hysteroscopy from the OR to the Clinic” and “ART & Surgery”
  • Quetrell Hayward, MD, MBA: “Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): More is not Always Better” and “Reproductive Outcomes of IVF Following a Large-Scale Merger: Is Bigger Always Better?”
  • Riwa Sabbagh, MD: “Using In Situ Gene Expression to Create a Three-Dimensional Map of Human Blastocysts” and “Lower Live Birth Rates with Increasing Maternal Age in Donor Oocyte Cycles”
  • Sara Arian, MD, MSci: “Fertility Preservation”
  • Yuval Foulks, MD, PhD, MPH: “Predicting the Probability of Return After Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Machine Learners Approach Using the SART Database”

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ABOUT BOSTON IVF

Boston IVF is one of the largest and most experienced fertility networks in the United States, with more than 150,000 babies born since 1986. Founded as one of the nation’s first private practice IVF centers, the Boston IVF network has grown to include over 30 reproductive endocrinologists across 30 centers throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah. A renowned innovator of reproductive technologies, advanced protocols, and cutting-edge research, Boston IVF has achieved numerous “firsts” in reproductive care. Its scientific and research arm continues to pave the way for breakthroughs in fertility care and its accredited REI Fellowship Program has graduated numerous reproductive endocrinologists as part of its mission to train the next generation of fertility experts.

Media Contact

Zoe Marzi, Boston IVF, 1 7814346515, [email protected], https://www.bostonivf.com/

Theo LoPreste, Boston IVF, 1 781-434-6451, [email protected], https://www.bostonivf.com/

Twitter

SOURCE Boston IVF



Roswell Park Licenses Rapid, Comprehensive Blood Test to Agilent, a Global Leader in the Life Sciences Market


“There are no comprehensive tests currently available commercially for precision analysis of myeloma and lymphoma. This will be the first,” says Carl Morrison, MD, DVM, Senior Vice President of Scientific Development and Integrative Medicine and Chair of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at Roswell Park. “It’s a way to get the most effective and appropriate treatment to patients as quickly as possible, with tremendous potential benefit for both clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life.”

“We’re excited by this opportunity with Roswell Park,” adds Ronda Allen, VP/GM of Agilent’s Genomics Division. “The PanHeme panel at clinical and translational researchers’ fingertips enables samples to be run immediately and accurately, speeding up the time to results, and ultimately patient treatment.”

Dr. Morrison developed, created and activated the PanHeme assay with Sean Glenn, PhD, Roswell Park’s Vice Chair of Molecular Pathology and Clinical Director of the cancer center’s Genomics Shared Resource.

“Our PanHeme panel covers every hematological malignancy and every mutation required to diagnose, treat and prognose these patients, and we can do it very quickly,” says Dr. Glenn. “The test screens the patient’s DNA and RNA for single-nucleotide variants, insertions, deletions, gene fusions and copy-number variations at the gene and chromosome levels critical for understanding and treating hematological cancers.”

The pair worked closely with Roswell Park experts in hematologic oncology, pathology, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, and hematopathology — including Manuel Glynias and clinicians Eunice Wang, MD, Chief of Leukemia, and James Thompson, MD, MS — to develop a comprehensive panel that could immediately benefit patients with hematologic malignancies.

“We have filled a huge void in hematological testing, and expect that this test will soon be used to guide treatment decisions for several thousands of cancer patients each year,” notes Patrick Emmerling, PhD, MBA, CLP, Director of Technology Transfer and Commercial Development at Roswell Park.

PanHeme is the latest in a long line of Roswell Park innovations to be licensed for further development. Among other innovations, the cancer center developed the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, now used worldwide for early detection of prostate cancer; the RPMI 1640 medium, used worldwide for cell culture; photodynamic therapy (PDT), an FDA-approved treatment that activates light-sensitive drugs with lasers; and, most recently, the therapeutic SurVaxM vaccine for glioblastoma, featured on NBC Nightly News in June and recently awarded Fast Track Designation by the U.S. FDA.

Over the past 18 months, Roswell Park’s hematologic oncologists have used PanHeme to support the clinical care of more than 1,400 unique patients with blood cancers. Currently, the service operates seven days a week to deliver results for 50-60 blood samples per week.

Jens Hillengass, MD, PhD, Chief of Myeloma at Roswell Park, says pinpointing gene mutations is especially important for guiding treatment decisions for patients with multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare cancer of the white blood cells.

“Sometimes we can use medications that might be FDA-approved for other diseases, but that attack the same mutations that can occur in myeloma — and those medications might work better than standard myeloma treatments,” he explains.

Dr. Thompson says the biggest clinical change for his patients involves the speedy return of test results for TP-53, a mutation present in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). “Unfortunately, patients with that mutation are much less likely to respond to therapy,” he explains. “The information provided by PanHeme allows us to offer some clinical trials that are specifically designed for those patients.

“This approach wouldn’t be feasible if we didn’t have the test. In the past, we’d get the results about three weeks after we sent the sample, and we’d find out about the TP-53 mutation after we had already committed patients to a run of therapy that might not be effective for them.”

Dr. Thompson adds that the assay will benefit the 30% of patients with AML who have an FLT3 mutation — an indicator of aggressive disease. “It definitely changes the type of therapy we prescribe, and it’s clinically important to have that result in a timely manner,” he says.

Every year in the U.S., nearly 60,000 patients are diagnosed with leukemia, 90,000+ with lymphoma, and 35,000+ with myeloma. Says Dr. Thompson, “PanHeme is a step toward much better patient-specific therapeutics. Having this available will improve the tool kit that everybody has to treat these diseases.”

Adds Dr. Morrison, “This is the best you can do for patients around the globe.”

Drs. Morrison and Glenn gratefully acknowledge the importance of donor support through the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation at critical early stages of this work.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Agilent Technologies is a leading life science and Dx company delivering insights and innovation that help our customers bring great science to life. The company generated revenue of $6.85 billion in fiscal 2022 and employs 18,000 people worldwide. Information about Agilent is available at http://www.agilent.com.

*Agilent SureSelect, Magnis NGS Prep system, Bravo automation platform, and Alissa are for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
From the world’s first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated, and prevented worldwide. Driven to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity, the Roswell Park team of 4,000 makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park was among the first three cancer centers nationwide to become a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and is the only one to hold this designation in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email [email protected].

Media Contact

Ann Deck-Miller, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 716-845-8593, [email protected], roswellpark.org

SOURCE Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center