December 18, 2007
STUDY ACCELERATES DEVELOPMENT OF ALS DIAGNOSTIC
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (December 18, 2007) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, announced today its continued participation in the ALS Association-sponsored study to identify biomarkers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). The Company participated in the initial pilot study, resulting in the discovery of novel biomarkers indicative of ALS and covered by a recently issued patent (US Patent 7,005,255). The expanded study will increase study enrollment. Samples will be collected at 18 sites in the Translational Research Advancing Therapy for ALS (TREAT ALS)/Northeast ALS (NEALS) Clinical Trials Network. The Network is a partnership between The ALS Association and NEALS clinical research centers throughout the country, devoted to expanding clinical trials to treat the disease
“A key unmet need in ALS clinical trials is a biomarker of the disease and its response to treatment,” according to Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D., Science Director and Vice President of The Association.
“We are excited about the continued funding of this project” says John Ryals, Ph.D, President and CEO of Metabolon. “Using our metabolomics platform, our initial studies discovered novel biomarkers potentially useful for diagnosing ALS. By expanding this study, we will be able to refine and validate those biomarkers, bringing us even closer to a clinical diagnostic.”
“Increasing the number of samples will accelerate our product development efforts in thisarea”, noted Mike Milburn, Metabolon’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We hope to make significant progress toward a clinical diagnostic over the next 12 months.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a high-value diagnostic and services company using the industry’s best biochemical profiling technology platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global, comprehensive analysis of biological samples for the discovery of biochemical biomarkers. This metabolomics-based approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics (prognostics, theranostics, companion diagnostics). In addition, Metabolon’s services provide biochemical markers and information for understanding complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology, and bioprocess monitoring.
November 8, 2007
STUDY TO TEST SAFETY OF ANTHRAX VACCINE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (November 8, 2007) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, announced today the signing of a contract supporting the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID). The collaboration uses Metabolon's proprietary metabolomics platform to study the biochemial profiles of humans given the AVA anthrax vaccine. The AVA vaccine is the only FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine for humans.
"This collaboration represents the first large-scale metabolomics study of human subjects given a vaccine," said Mike Milburn, Metabolon's Chief Scientific Officer."This type of comprehensive biochemical profiling will help USAMRIID better understand the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action."
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the 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. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts 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 a drug’s time to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
About USAMRIID
USAMRIID, located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. The Institute's mission is to conduct basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command.The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the United States government and no official endorsement should be inferred.
October 31, 2007
IP PORTOFOLIO BROADENS THE COMPANY'S POSITION IN METABOLOMICS AND DIAGNOSTICS
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (October 31, 2007) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, announced today the acquisition of intellectual property from Cogenics Icoria, Inc. (f/k/a/ Icoria, Inc.), a subsidiary of Clinical Data, Inc. The portfolio includes issued and pending patents related to metabolomics methods and data analysis as well as carcinogencity and toxicity biomarkers. Metabolon now owns all of the metabolomics-related intellectual property formerly owned by Cogenics Icoria. Clinical Data acquired Cogenics Icoria in 2005.
"The acquisition of this IP estate strengthens our IP position in this field," said John Ryals, President and CEO of Metabolon. "The methods patents will enhance our leadership position as the world leader in metabolomics analysis. Furthermore, the biochemical biomarker patents will help drive our rapidly-developing diagnostics business."
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the 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. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts 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 a drug’s time to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
October 8, 2007
EXPANDS SERVICE OFFERINGS
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (June 28, 2007) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics solutions for drug development and the discovery of new diagnostic markers today announced the launch of mVision, an integrated service providing the biomarker discovery, biochemical pathway analysis, and biological effect intelligence needed by scientists to confidently and effectively advance their research programs.
Based on Metabolon’s advanced analytic and informatics platforms, mVision is designed to identify biochemical biomarkers from numerous chemical classes and various sample matrices including: plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cell extracts, and tissues. mVision’s unbiased and non-targeted approach to biomarker discovery allows scientists to observe drug- or disease-induced biochemical changes over virtually the entire spectrum of biochemical pathways. This global screening can be accomplished without hypotheses of the biologic or biochemical effects of disease or the investigational drug.
“Together with Metabolon’s other solutions, mSelect™, mVivo™, and mProveClinical™, mVision provides scientists with the unified biomarker discovery and pathway analysis platform they need to understand disease processes and to evaluate drug effects throughout their in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical studies,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Because biochemical biomarkers are highly conserved between species, findings from early discovery research can be translated to predict results of later studies, including human clinical trials.”
“With mVision, Metabolon continues to lead the evolution of metabolomics by extending biochemical signal detection to biomarker identification,” said Ryals. “With Metabolon’s family of discovery solutions, researchers can more effectively discover biomarkers for disease detection, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring as well as biomarkers associated with drug toxicity and efficacy.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the 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. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts 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 a drug’s time to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
June 28, 2007
New service offers an integrated biochemical biomarker discovery and pathway analysis solution for drug discovery and diagnostic development.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (June 28, 2007) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics solutions for drug development and the discovery of new diagnostic markers today announced the launch of mVision, an integrated service providing the biomarker discovery, biochemical pathway analysis, and biological effect intelligence needed by scientists to confidently and effectively advance their research programs.
Based on Metabolon’s advanced analytic and informatics platforms, mVision is designed to identify biochemical biomarkers from numerous chemical classes and various sample matrices including: plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cell extracts, and tissues. mVision’s unbiased and non-targeted approach to biomarker discovery allows scientists to observe drug- or disease-induced biochemical changes over virtually the entire spectrum of biochemical pathways. This global screening can be accomplished without hypotheses of the biologic or biochemical effects of disease or the investigational drug.
“Together with Metabolon’s other solutions, mSelect™, mVivo™, and mProveClinical™, mVision provides scientists with the unified biomarker discovery and pathway analysis platform they need to understand disease processes and to evaluate drug effects throughout their in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical studies,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Because biochemical biomarkers are highly conserved between species, findings from early discovery research can be translated to predict results of later studies, including human clinical trials.”
“With mVision, Metabolon continues to lead the evolution of metabolomics by extending biochemical signal detection to biomarker identification,” said Ryals. “With Metabolon’s family of discovery solutions, researchers can more effectively discover biomarkers for disease detection, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring as well as biomarkers associated with drug toxicity and efficacy.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the 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. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts 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 a drug’s time to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
January 30, 2007
EXPANDS SERVICE OFFERINGS
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (January 30, 2007) Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, today announced the appointment of three new members to the Metabolon executive staff.
Tim Germann, Metabolon’s new Vice President of Sales, will drive growth and revenue through close alliances with pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Before arriving at Metabolon, Germann led sales and marketing at U.S. Genomics, where they launched the Trilogy® Single Molecule Analyzer. Prior to that, he was responsible for generating more than $30 million per year in revenue for Affymetrix where he helped to lead the Americas launch of the 10K, 100K, and 500K SNP arrays. Germann is an industry veteran, having also led sales efforts at Molecular Devices, Stratagene, and Incyte Genomics.
Dr. Bruce McCreedy has been appointed Vice President for Strategic Development and will drive the establishment of Metabolon’s diagnostic business. He will establish strategic relationships to conduct clinical studies for the validation of diagnostic tests based on biomarkers discovered using Metabolon’s core technology. McCreedy has over 19 years experience in healthcare and drug development. Previously, he served as Associate Vice President for Infectious Diseases with LabCorp, Vice President of Clinical Virology and Diagnostics with Triangle Pharmaceuticals, and CEO of Fulcrum Pharma Developments.
Dr. Dan Stevens, Metabolon’s new Director of Marketing, is responsible for identification, development, and introduction of metabolomics solutions to the market. Trained as both a clinician and a research scientist, Stevens brings a diversity of knowledge about customer needs to the organization. He comes to Metabolon from Silicon Graphics, Inc. and Procter & Gamble where he successfully launched products that today are generating more than $100 million in revenue.
“Over the past five years, Metabolon has invested in developing the premier metabolmics platform,” said John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “With the addition of these experienced executives, Metabolon is poised to expand its lead as the industry-leading provider of metabolomics services that improve drug discovery, development, and diagnostics.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the 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. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts 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 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).