November 30, 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (November 30, 2005) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using metabolomics, today announced it has been selected as a member of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Early Detection Research Network (EDRN). Metabolon’s second project with NCI but first project as a member of the EDRN will be a collaboration with the University of Michigan to discover novel disease biomarkers for prostate cancer. The collaboration is funded by a grant from NCI as part of the EDRN Chair’s Challenge program.
“Membership in the EDRN is a great privilege,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Metabolon will be able to collaborate with other members to discover and develop biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancers.”
The EDRN, established by NCI in early 2000, is a broad, interdisciplinary consortium whose work is aimed at both identifying and validating cancer biomarkers for use in early cancer detection. Metabolon will share its technology and metabolomics expertise with Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan of the University of Michigan on the prostate cancer project.
“Metabolon is at the forefront in the emerging area of metabolomics, and we are extremely excited about embarking on this collaboration,” said Dr. Chinnaiyan. “If metabolomic biomarkers can be identified for prostate cancer, Metabolon’s technology platform may have applications in other cancers as well.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
November 8, 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (November 8, 2005) - Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using metabolomics, today announced the addition of Dr. Michael Milburn as its Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Milburn was most recently Senior Vice President of Research and Corporate Development at Sirtris Pharmaceuticals.
“Mike’s extensive background and proven leadership ability in drug discovery and development will be valuable as we continue our biomarker discovery projects and expand our business interest into various phases of product development,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon.
Dr. Milburn brings more than 15 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical companies to Metabolon. At Sirtris, he led the preclinical/clinical development of projects in the areas of metabolic disease and neurodegeneration. Prior to Sirtris, Dr. Milburn was Senior Vice President of Research at Plexxikon, where he was responsible for the development of the company’s proprietary high-throughput co-crystallography drug discovery platform. He has also held positions at Structural Genomix and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Milburn received his Ph.D. in Structural Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School for his postdoctoral work.
“Metabolon is the leading company in the development and application of metabolomics, and I look forward to building on its success,” said Dr. Milburn. “Metabolon’s ability to identify all of the human metabolites within a disease context or drug effect represents a fast path to identifying new disease diagnostics or alternative therapeutic uses for drug candidates.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity. For additional information, visit www.metabolon.com
November 2, 2005
October 26, 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (October 26, 2005) - Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using metabolomics, today announced it has been awarded a contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify disease biomarkers for multiple sclerosis.
MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system by destroying myelin, the protective fatty tissue covering nerve fibers. Without myelin, nerves are unable to transmit signals to and from the brain. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million people worldwide are affected by MS, with more than 400,000 diagnosed in the United States each year.
“Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease disabling young adults in the United States,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Using metabolomics, we hope to find biomarkers that will determine a cause for the disease and that can be used to create a definitive diagnostic tool for MS.”
There is currently no known cause of MS, but evidence indicates that it is a complex disease resulting from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals. In this study, blood samples from a group of patients diagnosed with MS and exposed to environmental factors will be compared with blood samples taken from a group of healthy subjects exposed to similar conditions. Metabolon scientists will analyze the samples to identify disease biomarkers that indicate a metabolic difference between the two subject groups. Results from this study could potentially lead to more effective diagnostics and treatments for the disease.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
August 30, 2005
PharmaVOICE magazine recognizes Dr. John Ryals for his contributions to the industry.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (August 30, 2005) - Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, today announced its president and CEO, Dr. John Ryals, has been selected as one of the “100 Most Inspiring People in the Life Sciences Industry” by the readers of PharmaVOICE magazine. Dr. Ryals is showcased in the magazine’s August issue.
“I am honored to be recognized as an inspiring member of the life sciences community,” said Dr. Ryals. “But this would have never been possible without all of the incredible people I’ve worked with over the years.”
Individuals were selected based on how they have inspired and motivated those around them, their influence as a corporate leader, and how they have had a positive impact on the industry through their actions.
By educating the public on metabolomics, its benefits and importance, Dr. Ryals has quickly established Metabolon at the forefront of the biomarker industry. With more than 20 years of experience in biotechnology, Dr. Ryals brings a balance of entrepreneurial expertise and a deep background in life sciences to the company helm.
Dr. Ryals currently serves on the Life Science Advisory Board of The Aurora Funds, the Board of Directors at Athenix Corporation and the Board of Directors for the North Carolina State University Physical and Mathematical Sciences Foundation. Dr. Ryals is also internationally known for his scientific work and has been recognized as a Highly Cited Author in Plant and Animal Science, ranked number one for the United States and number four in the world for papers published and cited in ISI-indexed journals of plant and animal science between 1992 and 2002.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was recently honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
June 16, 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (June 16, 2005) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the application of metabolomics to discover novel biomarkers, today announced it has been awarded a contract from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to identify biomarkers occurring in women affected by premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that affects five percent of menstruating women. Symptoms of the disorder include marked depression, anxiety, tension, irritability and moodiness. Considered a mood disorder, women affected by PMDD have a significantly reduced quality of life. While triggered by reproductive hormones, the cause of PMDD is unknown, and current treatment options range from nutritional supplements to prescription medicine.
Metabolon scientists will compare samples from women with PMDD to samples from normal, healthy women under controlled hormonal conditions. Metabolon will analyze the data to identify biomarkers that indicate a metabolic difference between the two groups. Results from this study could potentially lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.
“PMDD afflicts a significant portion of the female population, yet little is known about it, and it has no definitive cure other than menopause,” said Reid Tripp, Vice President, Business Development of Metabolon. “Metabolon’s technology will identify biomarkers that can be used to develop new treatments for the disorder itself, not just the symptoms. This study reinforces the diversity and depth of metabolomics applications – Metabolon continues to be sought out by government, academia and industry to find biomarkers that may impact the way various disorders are treated in the future.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was recently honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity. For additional information, visit www.metabolon.com
April 12, 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (April 12, 2005) - Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the application of metabolomics to discover novel biomarkers, today announced it received a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The award is part of the Small Business Innovation Research program administered by the National Institutes of Health.
This is Metabolon’s third grant in the area of ALS. The first grant was awarded in conjunction with Massachusetts General Hospital and was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The second grant was funded by The ALS Association and focused on cerebral spinal fluid.
“It is clear from the receipt of our third grant that Metabolon’s technology has great potential to discover novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of ALS,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon.
ALS, often referred to as Lou Gherig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 5,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Once diagnosed, the average life expectancy of an ALS patient is two to five years. Currently, there is only one drug on the market for the treatment of ALS.
Metabolon will test plasma samples obtained from patients using its industry-leading metabolomics platform to identify biomarkers for ALS. These biomarkers will be compared to those of other motor neuron diseases to determine if the ALS signature is unique or common to other motor neuron disorders. In addition, Metabolon will study how biomarkers for ALS change with disease progression. The identification of unique biomarkers for ALS could become the basis for a diagnostic test and new therapeutics.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was recently honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
March 29, 2005
Researchers from Metabolon and Massachusetts General Hospital will be involved in a project to identify unique biomarkers for type 1 diabetes.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (March 29, 2005) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the application of metabolomics to discover novel biomarkers, today announced its collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital on a new study to discover biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. The study will be funded by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to Massachusetts General Hospital.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, which is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Diabetic nephropathy is the kidney disease that occurs as a result of diabetes. It is a leading cause of kidney failure in the United States.
“More than half a million Americans have or will develop diabetic nephropathy associated with type 1 diabetes,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “This grant is another example of how Metabolon’s groundbreaking technology is being recognized as having the potential to discover novel biomarkers that could change the way a particular disease is treated.”
Metabolon will test urine and plasma samples obtained from patients using its industry-leading metabolomics platform that searches for signatures that predict the likelihood of developing diabetic nephropathy. The results will be used to help achieve the earliest possible diagnosis to identify patients eligible for treatment trials.
“Diabetic nephropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes that can lead to kidney failure, which can then require dialysis or a kidney transplant,” said Darryl E. Palmer-Toy, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital. “We are very hopeful that successful biomarker identification technology will enable us to predict which patients will develop nephropathy, and to diagnose and treat it at an earlier stage of the disease.”
Founded in 1811, Massachusetts General Hospital is the third oldest hospital in the United States. It conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $400 million. It is the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, and nearly all of the hospital's active staff physicians are on the Harvard Medical School faculty.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was recently honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
February 10, 2005
Biomarker identification study presented at 25th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (February 10, 2005) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the application of metabolomics to discover novel biomarkers, today announced that a team of researchers from Metabolon, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other groups received the March of Dimes award for best research in prematurity.
Using Metabolon's proprietary metabolomic technology platform, researchers profiled the amniotic fluid metabolome in order to identify which women who have experienced preterm labor are also at risk of delivering a premature baby.
"We studied the amniotic fluid of three groups of patients - those with preterm labor who delivered at term, those with intra-amniotic inflammation who had both preterm labor and delivery, and those with no sign of inflammation who still had preterm labor and delivery," said Roberto Romero, M.D., primary study author and Chief of the Perinatology Research Branch of the NICHD. "We discovered that by using metabolic profiling, 96 percent of the time we could correctly identify the patients as belonging to the appropriate clinical group. A second study, in a different set of patients with a larger sample size, has already confirmed the effectiveness of our method. Until now, we have never had a way to predict the course of preterm labor with such accuracy. Metabolomics has given us that tool."
"Metabolon is very pleased with the results of this research project," said John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. "Our successful profiling of the amniotic fluid metabolome and the identification of key biomarkers will aid researchers in the development of tools to determine preterm delivery risk. We look forward to continuing this ground-breaking work with Dr. Romero and the NICHD."
Data from the study, Metabolomics in Premature Labor: A Novel Approach to Identify Patients at Risk for Preterm Delivery, was presented at the 25th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine on February 10 in Reno, NV.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. For additional information, visit www.metabolon.com
January 19, 2005
Researchers from Metabolon and High Q Foundation will be involved in a project to identify unique biomarkers for Huntington's Disease
strong>RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (January 19, 2005) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the application of metabolomics to design novel therapies, today announced its collaboration with the High Q Foundation on a new biomarker study for Huntington's Disease (HD).
HD is a degenerative brain disorder that at present has no effective treatment or cure. More than a quarter of a million Americans have HD or are at risk of inheriting the disease from an affected parent.
Metabolon will test plasma samples obtained from patients using its industry-leading metabolomics platform that searches for signatures of HD by measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Specifically, researchers from Metabolon and High Q Foundation will try to find key biomarkers that will differentiate controls and early-stage and late-stage disease. In other neurodegenerative studies, Metabolon has established metabolic profiles from the blood of ALS patients that differentiate various disease groups from one another as well as from healthy control groups.
"Currently, there is no way to halt or reverse the neurodegenerative effects of Huntington's Disease, and physicians are only able to prescribe medications that treat the symptoms of HD," said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. "Working with the High Q Foundation, we will search for key biomarkers that could lead to new therapeutics in the treatment of this devastating disease."
The High Q Foundation was established in 2002 with the mission of bringing together academia, industry, governmental agencies and other funding organizations in the search of treatments for HD. It supports numerous projects related to HD, including basic research, a drug-discovery program and clinical studies.
"Metabolon is a leader in the field of metabolomics and the discovery of biomarkers," said Dr. Allan Tobin, senior scientific advisor to the High Q Foundation. "We are hopeful that the outcome of our collaboration will result in novel biomarkers that could aid in the development of a new treatment for Huntington's Disease." About Metabolon: Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful and new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection.