are among the cutting edge tools used by the Columbia University
Center for Infection and Immunity which is currently doing biomarker
research on ME and CFS among other studies for example. Unique
biomarkers in any disease, or subgroups within a disease, are
extremely dependent upon how specifically cohorts are defined. A
biomarker is a specific physical trait or a measurable biologically
produced change in the body connected with a disease or health.
PRESS RELEASE
March 7, 2012, 7:00 a.m. EST
Chronix Biomedical Opens State-of-the-Art Mass Sequencing Laboratory
to Provide Medical Researchers With Personal Biomarkers in Human
Disease
- Clinical Trials Will Gain Valuable Information From Using Personal
Biomarkers to Monitor Patients with Chronic Illnesses: Cancers, Orphan
Diseases, and Difficult-to-Diagnose Diseases
SAN JOSE, Calif. & BROOKINGS, S.D., Mar 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Chronix Biomedical today announced that it has expanded its commercial
capabilities with the opening of a fully operational sequencing
laboratory in Brookings, South Dakota. The Brookings laboratory will
offer sequencing services to academic and pharmaceutical researchers
who wish to support their biomarker programs in diseases that are
considered "orphan" or for which there is no diagnostic test currently
available.
"This is terrific news for our bio industry in South Dakota and those
who will take advantage of its services," said Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
"It is one more testimony that South Dakota offers growing, emerging
companies what they need -- both in terms of business climate and
workforce."
Currently, Chronix is providing sequencing services to clinicians,
universities, industry and government agencies for breast cancer,
prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, brain injuries and concussions,
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) and Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome.
The Company is now expanding its services to the research community
studying cancers as well as rare and orphan diseases that are
classified as neurologic or autoimmune disorders. New cancer studies
will include lung, ovarian, pancreatic, brain, and rare cancers.
Neurologic disorder studies will include Gulf War Illnesses, Autism
Spectrum Disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease. Autoimmune
disorder studies will include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid
arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, amyloidosis and type I
diabetes.
"Next Generation Sequencing is the game changing technology we need to
provide Next Generation Healthcare," said Dr. Howard Urnovitz, CEO of
Chronix Biomedical. "Our proprietary approach to identifying
previously unknown and undetected biomarkers is an important new
application that detects active disease as opposed to detecting the
risk of disease. The technology is so powerful that these biomarkers
focus on each individual's unique changes."
The laboratory was opened with assistance from the First Bank & Trust
of Brookings, South Dakota (FB&T) and the Area Development Corporation
of Brookings, South Dakota (ADC). "We are happy to announce the
opening of our first commercial mass sequencing facility in Brookings
where we have worked closely with the South Dakota State University
research community," said Senior Vice-President of Finance and
Administration John DiPietro. "The financial support from FB&T and ADC
highlights the aggressive initiatives by these organizations to bring
biotechnology companies to South Dakota. In addition the Governor's
Office of Economic Development (GOED) has been key in providing us
with other financing alternatives available and was instrumental in
our establishment of this laboratory. We anticipate that the success
of this first specialty laboratory in Brookings will enable us to
launch additional satellite sequencing facilities in collaboration
with major research cancer centers around the country."
Van Fishback, Vice Chairman of FB&T commented, "I have been following
the progress of Chronix for several years and was always excited about
their groundbreaking technology. When we realized we had the
opportunity to attract them to Brookings we were pleased to assist the
Company in establishing their sequencing laboratory. Upon entering
their lab I was proud to witness the operation of the world's most
advanced genome sequencer as it analyzed cancer specimens, and
provided the critical data necessary to develop personal biomarkers
which could eventually save lives."
"Chronix Biomedical represents an important addition to Brookings
South Dakota's growing human and animal health industry clusters,"
said Al Heuton, Executive Director of Brookings Economic Development
Corporation. "We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with,
and support, Chronix during the development phase of this novel
process and look forward to the development of additional partnerships
as their research and service capabilities expand. The location of
Chronix in Brookings is a result of partnership opportunities that
have been developed with the Brookings community, South Dakota State
University, and the State of South Dakota."
Kevin Kephart, Vice President for Research at South Dakota State
University commented, "I am extremely pleased that Chronix decided to
locate their sequencing laboratory in Brookings, and fully expect
their breakthrough technology will open the door to provide greater
insight into the underlying causes of many mysterious and orphan
diseases. We have been working with Chronix for several years and have
been pleased to see their technology and applications develop from use
in production animal diseases into human diseases. Their progress has
been tremendous in the use of sequencers to provide valuable medical
information in the area of personalized medicine."
About Chronix Biomedical
Chronix Biomedical is providing a breakthrough approach to the
diagnosis, monitoring and management of a broad range of cancers and
other conditions. It has developed proprietary technology that
measures and categorizes cell free DNA sequences circulating in the
blood that are associated with specific changes in disease and health
status. Chronix Biomedical has demonstrated the utility of its
diagnostic and prognostic approach in a chronic neurologic disease,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in breast, prostate and colorectal cancers
and in multiple myeloma. Chronix is headquartered in San Jose,
California and has sequencing facilities in Brookings, South Dakota
and Gottingen, Germany. www.chronixbiomedical.com
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GROUNDBREAKING RESOURCE
Chronix Biomedical is currently offering its Sequencing Testing
Service to medical professionals and organizations conducting clinical
trials in order to significantly improve patient disease monitoring
and management.
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