Upcoming Xtalks Web Conference Explores Opportunities and Perspectives of Personalized Medicine

In a Xtalks Web Conference on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, 1:00 - 3:00pm EST, Raymond Woosley, MD, PhD, President and CEO, The Critical Path Institute, Mara G. Aspinall, President, Genzyme Genetics, Wayne Rosenkrans, Business Strategy Director External Scientific Affairs, Co-Chair Personalized Medicine Coalition, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Elaine Weidenhammer, Associate Director, Strategic Market Development, Nanogen will explore the opportunities and perspectives of personalized medicine and discuss what is required on the pharmaceutical and diagnostics part to make this model successful and practical for the society. http://xtalks.com/personalizedmedicine.ashx

(PRWEB) May 2, 2007 -- In a Xtalks Web Conference on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, 1:00 - 3:00pm EST, Raymond Woosley, MD, PhD, President and CEO, The Critical Path Institute, Mara G. Aspinall, President, Genzyme Genetics, Wayne Rosenkrans, Business Strategy Director External Scientific Affairs, Co-Chair Personalized Medicine Coalition, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Elaine Weidenhammer, Associate Director, Strategic Market Development, Nanogen will explore the opportunities and perspectives of personalized medicine and discuss what is required on the pharmaceutical and diagnostics part to make this model successful and practical for the society. http://xtalks.com/personalizedmedicine.ashx

Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Co-Development

Personalized medicine may have arrived. The initiative was established in 1990s with progress in the Human Genome Project with the premise of customized healthcare medicine. Personalized medicine is based on the use of detailed information about an individual's genotype and patience's medical data in order to administer medication and select preventive measures. Nowadays the Critical Path Initiative is one of the FDA's priorities that will stimulate a national effort to modernize the scientific process.

The pharmaceutical industry is dominated by the blockbuster business model that assumes that a single compound would be able to effectively treat all or most of patients with a particular disease. Pharmacogenomics which is a part personalized medicine helps to cure diseases rather than symptoms by identifying biomarkers associated with specific conditions.

To change the practice of medicine and make the personalized medicine a reality rather than hype--companies have to incorporate genetics and genomics into their R&D practice. The benefits of this approach are its efficacy, speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness for patients.

Our speakers will explore the opportunities and perspectives of personalized medicine and discuss what is required on the pharmaceutical and diagnostics part to make this model successful and practical for the society.

Conference highlights:

The web conference is sponsored by:

Nanogen

Nanogen's advanced technologies provide researchers, clinicians, and physicians worldwide with improved methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat disease. Nanogen is facilitating the development and adoption of new pharmacogenomics-based diagnostics with technologies that enable analysis of nucleic acid and protein biomarkers. The company's products include real-time PCR reagents, the NanoChip® electronic microarray platform and a line of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests. By incorporating Nanogen's real-time PCR and electronic microarray technologies into the drug development and clinical trial process, pharmaceutical companies can rapidly develop custom assays to assess the utility of potential biomarkers. Once specific biomarkers have been validated, companion diagnostic products can be commercialized on the same platform that was used during clinical trials, enabling more rapid adoption by the laboratory community. www.nanogen.com

Kimball Genetics

Kimball Genetics is a national DNA diagnostic laboratory specializing in testing for common genetic disorders that are preventable or can be treated. Founded in 1994 by Annette K. Taylor, M.S., Ph.D., Kimball Genetics is known for its unparalleled turnaround times and distinctive focus on genetic counseling and education. The company has a longstanding reputation for its expertise in integrating new genetic tests into mainstream medicine and is committed to advancing the field of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine. Kimball Genetics' other major areas of testing currently include hypercoagulability, celiac disease, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, and fragile X syndrome.    

In the pharmacogenetics arena, Kimball Genetics is now offering the Warfarin DoseAdvise™ Genetic Test to detect specific gene variants that are associated with a lower dose requirement. The test will help optimize warfarin dosing and has the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of warfarin therapy. Results are available in one day and testing can be performed on cheek cells as an alternative to blood. The Clinical Pharmacology Subcommittee, an FDA advisory committee, recommends pharmacogenetic testing for warfarin therapy and use of reduced doses when indicated. www.kimballgenetics.com

About Xtalks
Xtalks brings industry experts to executives' desktops around the world in a web-based information network that provides insight into breaking business issues through interactive digital web conferences. Xtalks web conferences allow anyone with interest in a particular topic to participate in a web meeting by synchronizing their desktop computer and phone alongside industry experts. Xtalks is part of The Honeycomb Worldwide Group of Companies.

Honeycomb Worldwide creates peer-to-peer business-oriented social networking communities, connecting senior level executives by delivering content through new and established media channels. www.honeycombworldwide.com

For more information on this conference or Xtalks in general, or to enquire about speaking opportunities or sponsoring future events, visit www.xtalks.com or contact Karen Anderson, Chief Marketing Officer, at 312-977-1166.

Register: http://www.topica.com/f/v.html?900080006.900057086

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