For immediate release
April 8, 2013
Molecular Response Launches TargetX™ Platform for Rapid Discovery & Validation of New Oncology Targets
–Drug development partners shrink timelines with access to 144,000 living tumor specimens, genomic databases and patient derived tumor models–
Molecular Response announced today the launch of its TargetX platform for rapid discovery and validation of new oncology targets. The program provides partners with access to the world’s largest bank of living tumor specimens, matched genomic database, and in vivo/ex vivo patient derived tumor models for validation. The integrated platform enables investigators to do in days what used to take months.
Target discovery and validation in oncology has largely relied on molecular and functional studies performed in cell lines. Recent advances in genomics have now created large databases based on well-characterized tumor tissue, which has enabled direct investigation of patient tumors for novel targets. Following these discoveries, it is routine to perform functional studies in cell line-based systems; however, it is often challenging to find a relevant cell line model and if found, there are often numerous factors which confound biology when using historical cell lines for functional studies. The result can be a process which takes considerable time and does not readily translate to clinical relevance.
“TargetX is the largest scale genomic database matched to living patient-derived tumor models,” said Dr. Mohit Trikha, CSO of Triphase Accelerator and founder of Drug Design Corp. “We plan to access it for our drug pipeline development and biomarker identification; having everything in one place allows us to do in days what used to take months. Additionally, we can now work with living patient derived tumor samples rather than cultured cell lines”.
The platform relies on Molecular Response’s proprietary bank of more than 144,000 patient derived tumor cells, of which nearly 400 tumors have been genomically characterized and databased for target discovery studies. The database is growing, but currently features the following cancer indications: colon carcinoma, NSCLC, melanoma, ovarian carcinoma, prostate cancer and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Upon discovery of a novel target, tumors of interest are immediately implanted into mice to perform functional studies in direct patient derived models–either in vivo or ex vivo. Molecular Response currently has more than 60 such patient derived xenograft models established for in vivo studies.
“We continue to focus on the use of patient derived models, both in vivo and ex vivo, for advancing oncology drug development,” said Thomas Broudy, CSO of Molecular Response. “Everybody would like to perform studies in the patient derived tumor setting starting as early as possible, but without the resource to do so, it’s nearly impossible. TargetX now enables you to do that.”
Molecular Response will present results from the TargetX platform at the AACR meeting; the company has identified a novel kinase target for potential therapeutic development. They investigated prevalence of target overexpression across 7 cancer indications, and identified melanoma as a clinical indication of high interest. Growth characteristics from patient tumors featuring high kinase gene expression vs. low expression were examined to help characterize the role of this target in oncology disease progression. Functional studies in these patient derived models to further validate the novel kinase are ongoing, as is a small molecule and antibody-based therapeutic development program.
For additional online ordering information visit: www.molecularresponse.com/braf
To reach Molecular Response Client Services, call 858-622-2900 or 888-361-2826.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
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Contact Information:
Diosalyn Alonzo
858.622.2900
For immediate release
April 18, 2012
San Diego, CA – April 18, 2012 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, today announced the availability of genomic DNA from the world’s largest bank of viable cryopreserved tumor cells.
Genomic DNA is a key component to understanding cancer, a disease characterized by DNA sequence abnormalities. Genomic DNA from these tumors can be used for sequencing, mutation and SNP detection, population mutation frequency analysis, and copy number determination. The large bank of specimens available at Molecular Response will greatly reduce the amount of time spent by researchers in locating significant sets of specimens to use in studies.
The genomic DNA available at Molecular Response is isolated from over 12,000 individual tumors, representing over 60 different cancer indications, collected from a de-identified US population over the last 20 years. With cryopreseved tumor cells as the source of DNA, Molecular Response offers quality genomic DNA that has not been subjected to the adverse effects of formalin fixation. Additionally, since the tumors have been disaggregated, the genomic DNA is representative of the entire sample, correcting for intratumor heterogeneity. Each specimen is annotated by cancer indication, gender, age, collection site, clinical diagnosis, histology, and pathology review.
With viable cryopreserved tumor cells as the source of DNA, researchers have the unique opportunity to go back to Molecular Response’s proprietary tumor bank to resurrect cells with specific molecular characteristics to test for drug activity or other pharmacodynamic effects.
Offering genomic DNA from Molecular Response’s patient-derived primary tumor cell bank is a natural extension of the services that Molecular Response provides to cancer researchers. By leveraging such a large bank in combination with rapidly advancing capabilities in the genomics field, Molecular Response looks to equip researchers with the tools necessary to advance the understanding of cancer.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrating into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs. Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with the best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
Contact Information:
Molecular Response
Steve Hoffmaster
858.622-2950
For immediate release
March 26, 2012
Transparent Corporation of Japan, and Molecular Response sign key collaboration and supply agreement to launch novel ex-vivo 3D cell culture system focused on oncology applications
Chiba, Japan, and San Diego, California – March 26, 2012 – Transparent Inc., a leader in 3D cell culture plate design and applications supported by comprehensive patent portfolio in biomaterial sciences, and Molecular Response Laboratories (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, today announced extension of their original validation studies and execution of key long term collaboration agreement.
Under the terms, parties will jointly introduce a novel 3 dimensional cell culture system based on TRP’s patented 3D cell culture plate design and manufacturing technologies, and MRL’s proprietary bank of ‘living’ tumor cells and quantitative high content platforms. The platform will be marketed under TRP’s “Cell-able OncologyTM” brand with key contract research support for preclinical and clinical trial applications by MRL.
Current strategies for developing new anticancer drugs rely heavily on preclinical testing in cancer cell lines and their derived in vivo xenograft models. A significant limitation to current preclinical testing is the use of highly passaged cancer cell lines grown on plastic.
Improved preclinical models are required to advance our understanding of the molecular aberrations that underpin cancer and are critical for developing and deploying targeted therapies to improve patients’ lives.
Cell-able OncologyTM allows primary tumor cells to grow in 3 dimensional cultures that more closely resemble in vivo like conditions. Models grown in 3 dimensional culture conditions coupled with molecular characterization provide a stronger correlation to clinical outcomes than conventional preclinical anticancer drug testing.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Molecular Response to provide key enabling technologies to pharmaceutical researchers and medical professionals by introducing Cell-able OncologyTM” said Transparent CEO Rocky Kato. “Transparent and Molecular Response will present collaborative research outcomes at the AACR Annual Meeting to be held in Chicago from March 31 to April 4, 2012. Molecular Response pharmaceutical research services combined with Cell-able OncologyTM will provide researchers the right tools to perform transformative drug discovery with patient-derived primary tumor cells and focused molecular targets that enable drug sensitivity testing that is strongly correlated to clinical outcomes.”
About Transparent Inc.
Transparent Inc. develops and sells a novel cell culture system “Cell-able”. The 3 dimensional cell culture system has been developed with multi patent filed photosensitive polymer technology and cell biological technology, creates in vivo environment on multi-well plates. The system is applied to patient derived tumor cells, iPS cells, hepatocytes and any kinds of cells, and provides advanced cell culture models to develop new drugs and/or therapeutics. Over 60 pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions are now using this technology.
For additional information please visit www.cell-able.com.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
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Contact Information:
Molecular Response
Sandra Hazeltine
+1-858-204-3540
[email protected]
Transparent Inc.
Seiki Uozaki
+81-476-98-3471
[email protected]
For immediate release
February 21, 2012
Molecular Response Announces Key Agreement in Translational Oncology with
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, CA – February 21, 2012 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today an agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., significantly expanding the companies’ successful pilot program to develop unique patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX), through the use of Molecular Response’s proprietary ‘living’ cell bank of primary tumor cells.
OncoMed is a privately held clinical development stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics that target the biologic pathways critical to tumor initiating cells, also known as “cancer stem cells”. Under the terms of the agreement, the collaboration will deliver molecularly characterized PDX models for multiple cancer indications, with full utilization of Molecular Response’s highly optimized pre-screening and characterization methodologies. This will allow OncoMed to expand their already extensive bank of proprietary xenograft models derived from freshly resected human cancers based on the molecular profile of the tumors as well as complement OncoMed’s existing biomarker and patient selection efforts. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
“The expansion of our tumor bank in this selective manner will enhance our efforts of developing predictive biomarkers alongside the development of our anti-cancer stem cell therapeutics,” said Paul Hastings, President and Chief Executive Officer of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals.
“Development of characterized PDX models is a natural addition to our core competencies in working with patient-derived primary tumor cells. OncoMed is a leader in cancer stem cell therapeutics and a most discerning partner in evaluation of new PDX models. The expanded collaboration with OncoMed is proof of our success and continued commitment to enable further evaluation of cancer therapeutics in better characterized models with use of our high content cell-based platforms and exclusive patient-derived primary tumor cell bank,” said Cyrus K. Mirsaidi, Molecular Response CEO.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
About OncoMed, Inc.
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company that discovers and develops novel therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells, the cells believed to be capable of driving tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis. A leader in cancer stem cell research, the company has established a library of antibodies to cancer stem cell proteins for the treatment of solid tumors such as pancreatic, breast, colorectal and lung cancers. OncoMed has advanced three anti- cancer stem cell monoclonal antibodies into the clinic, OMP-21M18, OMP-59R5, and OMP-18R5, which target key cancer stem cell signaling pathways including Notch and Wnt. In addition, OncoMed’s pipeline includes several novel preclinical product candidates targeting multiple validated cancer stem cell pathways. OncoMed has formed strategic alliances with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline. Privately-held, OncoMed’s investors include: US Venture Partners, Latterell Venture Partners, The Vertical Group, Morgenthaler Ventures, Phase4 Ventures, Delphi Ventures, Adams Street Partners, De Novo Ventures, Bay Partners and GlaxoSmithKline. Additional information can be found at the company’s website: www.oncomed.com.
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Contact Information:
Molecular Response
Sandra Hazeltine
858.204.3540
[email protected]
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals
BCC Partners Karen L. Bergman or Michelle Corral (650) 575-1509 or (415) 794-8662
[email protected] or [email protected]
For immediate release
August 17, 2011
Molecular Response Expands Clinical Offerings with BRAF Mutation Testing
Molecular Response announced today that it has launched a clinically validated BRAF test to detect the V600E mutation in both melanoma and colorectal tumors.
The announcement comes on the heels of the news that the FDA has approved Roche’s Zelboraf™ (vemurafenib) for melanoma patients harboring the BRAF V600E mutation.
“We’re excited to expand our precision medicine offerings with the BRAF V600E test,” said Richard Scuderi MD, PhD, Medical Director at Molecular Response. “This subpopulation of melanoma patients is going to benefit greatly from vemurafenib, and Molecular Response will play a key part in helping those patients know if they are likely to benefit.”
Molecular Response BRAF V600E mutation test is a PCR-based test that has been validated as a CLIA Laboratory Developed Test and demonstrated superiority in terms of sensitivity and sample acceptance criteria to other clinical laboratories offering BRAF V600E mutation testing.
“The test is very robust and has fantastic sensitivity,” said Thomas Broudy, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Molecular Response. “In the end, that translates to one important fact–we’ll be able to tell more patients if their tumor harbors the mutation, and they can use that information with their doctor to make better therapeutic decisions, especially now that vemurafenib is approved.”
For additional online ordering information visit: www.molecularresponse.com/braf
To reach Molecular Response Client Services, call 858-622-2900 or 888-361-2826.
Zelboraf is a trademark filed by Genentech, Inc.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
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Contact Information:
Public Relations
858.622.2931
[email protected]
For immediate release
July 26, 2011
Molecular Response Announces Key Agreement in Translational Oncology with SuperGen
San Diego, CA – July 26, 2011 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today an agreement with SuperGen, Inc.
Under the terms of the agreement, SuperGen will have limited access to Molecular Response’s proprietary ‘living’ cell bank of primary tumor cells, high content imaging, and molecular characterization platforms. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
“We are excited to be working with SuperGen, a company that has demonstrated a comprehensive commitment to bringing novel cancer therapeutics to market,” said Cyrus K. Mirsaidi, Molecular Response CEO. “We believe our high resolution, high content cell-based platforms and exclusive patient-derived primary tumor cell bank provide the best model for predicting efficacy of novel drugs. I expect our collaboration with SuperGen to set a leading example in translational medicine.”
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
About SuperGen, Inc.
Based in Dublin, Ca., SuperGen, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics in epigenetic and cell signaling modulation. The company develops products through biochemical and clinical proof of concept to partner for further development and commercialization.
For additional information please visit www.SuperGen.com
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Contact Information:
Sandra Hazeltine
858.204.3540
[email protected]
For immediate release
June 1, 2011
Molecular Response and Scripps Genomic Medicine Announce Joint Discovery/Development Agreement
San Diego, CA. June 1, 2011 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today a joint discovery/development agreement with Scripps Genomic Medicine that will advance research in the areas of oncology and cardiovascular disease.
“This agreement is a great opportunity to collaborate with one of the nation’s leading healthcare institutes, where many cutting-edge scientific research and development initiatives have emerged,” said Cyrus K. Mirsaidi, Molecular Response CEO. “We look forward to significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances stemming from this partnership.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Molecular Response will fund up to two discovery programs focusing on cancer research and heart disease. Additionally, MRL will be granted exclusive intellectual property rights with Scripps Genomic Medicine, a division of Scripps Translational Science Institute and Scripps Health. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“For us to individualize prevention and treatment with precision, we are fortunate to set up this important collaboration with Molecular Response,” said Dr. Eric Topol, Chief Academic Officer of Scripps Health. “Medicine tailored to an individual, particularly with the application of genomics, will ultimately have a major impact in the future of health care.”
The alliance builds on strong scientific commitment from both organizations, and will encourage and support research collaboration that will provide access to technologies and knowledge that will expand the partnership’s overall research activities.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
About Scripps Translational Science Institute
Founded in 2006, Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) is an initiative of Scripps Health, in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute. STSI initiates research designed to help move basic research from lab to the patient bedside, bridging the gap between basic science and clinical trials. Scripps Genomic Medicine is a program of STSI and involves genotyping tens of thousands of individuals to identify and define genes responsible for major diseases and the underpinnings of health.
For additional information please visit www.stsiweb.org
For immediate release
May 18, 2011
Molecular Response appoints Kenna Anderes, PhD, as Senior Vice President
of Translational Medicine
San Diego, CA May 18, 2011 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today the appointment of Kenna L. Anderes, PhD, as senior vice president of translational medicine.
Dr. Anderes’ background and leadership experience will be a great addition to our efforts of providing precision medicine at Molecular Response,” said Cyrus Mirsaidi. Kenna is an accomplished leader who is known for her ability to guide multidisciplinary teams by leveraging target validation, mechanism of action, biomarker and co-diagnostic tools to ensure scientific validation.
Dr. Anderes brings 20 years experience with research and development in cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Prior to joining Molecular Response, she held an executive leadership role at Cylene Pharmaceuticals where she managed the successful progression of proprietary oncology-focused programs through discovery and into clinical development. Dr. Anderes held several group leader and senior scientist positions at major pharmaceutical and biotech companies such as Pfizer, Warner Lambert, Agouron and Alanex for more than 12 years.
I am delighted about the opportunity to work with an organization that is truly committed to the focus of providing personalized medicine,” said Dr. Anderes. Research and clinical scientists recognize the limitations of cell line studies and have embraced the movement to conduct preclinical research in primary cells derived from cancer patients. The results obtained from patient tumor samples bring us one step closer to understanding the molecular basis of the cancer and creates the opportunity to customize molecular targeted therapy. “
Dr. Anderes earned a BS in microbiology from the University of Illinois and a PhD in Pharmacology from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She was awarded a postdoctoral research fellowship in pharmacology at the University of California San Diego.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
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Contact Information:
Public Relations
858.622.2931
[email protected]
For immediate release
May 9, 2011
Molecular Response Names Scientific Advisory Board Members
San Diego, CA May 9, 2011 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today the appointment of leading experts to its Scientific Advisory Board.
The members of the new advisory team represent a combination of scientific and medical expertise in oncology and genomic medicine that will support the company as it expands its focus on precision medicine.
“Molecular Response is proud to have assembled such a prestigious and highly experienced team,” said Molecular Response CSO, Tommy Broudy, PhD. Their selection to our advisory group solidifies our commitment to bridging the gap between cutting edge research and actionable clinical information to treat patients.
The Scientific Advisory Board members include: Samuel Levy, PhD, Director of Genomic Sciences at Scripps Translational Science Institute and Scripps Genomic Medicine, and Professor of Molecular and Experimental Medicine at the Scripps Research Institute; Patrick M. O’Connor, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Selexagen Therapeutics, Inc. and Senior Editor of the journal Cancer Research; and Art Mendoza MD, Chief of Pathology at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Director of Pathology at Mary Birch Hospital for Women, Sharp Healthcare.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For detailed biographies of the SAB members please choose from following links:
For immediate release
November 15, 2010
Molecular Response Acquires World’s Largest Viable Cryo-preserved
Human Cancer Tissue Bank
San Diego, CA – November 15, 2010 — Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today the acquisition of the world’s largest cryo-preserved human cancer tissue bank more than 144,000 specimens procured over 20 years. The company acquired the tumor bank, along with properly de-identified clinical information and validated test procedures, as part of a major acquisition of key assets formerly owned by Oncotech.
“Our acquisition of this incredible tumor bank and associated clinical information provides a unique platform for our collaborators in both pre-clinical and clinical applications,” noted Cyrus K. Mirsaidi, CEO of Molecular Response. In concert with our biopharma partners we can select what disease targets to avoid for new drug candidates and pick the best new cancer indications for experimental drugs to maximize clinical trial budgets.
The bank features more than 144,000 discrete cancer samples that are preserved as living single-cell suspensions, stored at -180C, to ensure availability for cell line propagation (cell culture, xenograft and direct human-to-mouse), and downstream ex-vivo treatments. Each of the specimens has been profiled against a panel of drugs, and that information is available to Molecular Response customers in order to select tumor cells of interest based on drug sensitivity/resistance profiles.
The size of the bank allows pharmaceutical companies to screen and select for cancers featuring particular molecular characteristics, and study the effects of their drug on those specific cases. Molecular Response offers a full suite of molecular testing to support those activities.
The field has long wanted to do large scale ex vivo drug treatment on primary cells, but we’ve been severely limited by tissue availability and have often had to settle for underpowered preclinical studies that look at only a handful of cases or cell lines,” said Dr. Thomas B. Broudy, CSO of Molecular Response. With the bank we’ve made commercially available, everything changes; our partners will be able to test a drug against hundreds or even thousands of primary cells and that gives us an opportunity to develop clinically sound hypotheses that will help identify new diagnostic and therapeutic targets.”
Additionally, the cryopreserved tumor specimens are accompanied by over 500,000 histology slides used for clinical diagnoses that span 76 separate oncology classifications. As part of the asset acquisition, MRL also secured related test validation protocols used for molecular characterization of the samples.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
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Contact Information:
Public Relations
858.622.2931
[email protected]
For immediate release
November 4, 2010
Molecular Response Expands Executive Management Team
San Diego, CA November 4, 2010 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today an expansion of the executive team with the appointment of Thomas B. Broudy, Ph.D. to Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Richard Scuderi, M.D., Ph.D. to Medical Director.
Dr. Broudy will be responsible for scientific study design, technology evaluation, and establishment of validated service offerings in the company’s laboratory group. Prior to MRL Dr. Broudy served as Director at AltheaDx, working closely with the Business Development and R&D teams to establish successful genomic service offerings, including microarray, RT-PCR, and nucleic acid isolation. He led efforts that resulted in establishment of several partnership programs for novel biomarkers, and companion diagnostic development programs in oncology and infectious disease with biopharma companies. Dr. Broudy earned his Ph.D. from The Rockefeller University.
Dr. Scuderi currently serves as a member of Pacific Rim Pathology group with a specialty in Hematopathology. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology and by the Medical Board of California. Dr. Scuderi has authored a number of scientific papers on various hematology-oncology topics including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, hemoglobinopathies, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dr. Richard Scuderi received his Bachelors degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California, Berkeley and his M.D., Ph.D. in hemotology with a molecular emphasis from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
“I am grateful that Drs. Broudy and Scuderi have decided to join Molecular Response during this exciting period,” noted CEO, Cyrus K. Mirsaidi of Molecular Response. They each bring a unique background and impressive skill set to MRL. I will depend on them to help build MRL into a leading company that will endeavor to improve lives through the use and development of novel molecular diagnostics.”
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
For immediate release
September 20, 2010
Molecular Response Announced Today the Appointment of Cyrus K. Mirsaidi to Chief Executive Officer
San Diego, CA – September 20, 2010 – Molecular Response (MRL), a privately held molecular diagnostic services company and a leader in the identification of target populations for high value therapeutics, announced today the appointment of Cyrus K. Mirsaidi to Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Mirsaidi will be focused on fostering strategic partnerships, continuing development of the company’s intellectual property, and growing Molecular Response into a successful molecular diagnostic service company. Dr. Masood Tayebi will continue to serve as Molecular Response’s Executive Chairman and continue to support growth of the company through his dynamic leadership.
“We are glad to have Cyrus, a strong leader in the diagnostic industry, join the Molecular Response Team as CEO,” said Chairman, Dr. Masood Tayebi. We are focusing on getting the right therapeutic to the right patient by developing diagnostics that support revolutionary therapeutic treatments. Through his leadership I am positive we can make a difference in the treatment of debilitating diseases like cancer.
Mr. Mirsaidi brings both practical and strategic senior management experience in drug discovery, biomarker development, and clinical diagnostics. He held several senior level management positions in his ten-year career at Nichols Institute Diagnostics (a division of Quest Diagnostics), where he was responsible for global launch of clinical diagnostic IVD tests and automated platforms. As general manager and executive director at Ontogen, a small molecule discovery company, he managed operations of a subsidiary focused on high throughput synthesis and purification of novel compounds. Most recently, Mr. Mirsaidi served as Vice President at AltheaDx, a San Diego biotechnology company, where he led the business development and licensing efforts with pharmaceutical partners.
“I am pleased to lead Molecular Response Laboratories in this period of expansion and change. MRL has already secured several exclusive assets, that I will announce in the coming weeks,” said Mirsaidi. I look forward to building MRL into a leading molecular diagnostic company with focus on building exclusive collaborations and partnerships that can truly make a difference in how patients, like many of our loved ones, are screened, treated, and monitored.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and increase the efficacy of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and improve the success rate of drugs in development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information, please visit www.molecularresponse.com.
For immediate release
July 6, 2010
Molecular Response launches west coast operations
San Diego, CA, July 6, 2010 – Molecular Response, a privately held contract research and development organization and a leader in identification of target populations for personalized medicine and drug development partners, today announced the opening of new facilities at 10865 Road to the Cure, in San Diego, California.
We are very bullish on the launch of our operations in the heart of San Diego’s biotechnology center, one of the key centers of excellence for innovative ideas and technology in the areas of research, diagnostics, and therapeutics” said Chairman and CEO, Dr. Masood Tayebi. We have built a world class facility to both provide clinical trial support services to our biopharmaceutical partners and to advance the growing market for targeted therapeutics and personalized medicine, through strategic collaborations with centers of innovation here in San Diego.
About Molecular Response
Molecular Response is a leader in advancing targeted therapeutics through intelligently designed, clinically validated companion diagnostics. Our goal is to reduce risk and cost of therapeutic drug development for our partners by translating clinically relevant molecular response marker data into high-value knowledge while fully integrated into existing pharmaceutical development processes and programs; Our results reduce risk and cost of drug development and allow for the most informed decisions with best chance of success to advance therapeutic programs.
For additional information, please visit www.molecularresponse.com.