October 27, 2009
Series C Round Now Closed with a Total of $12.3 Million in Additional Capital
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (October 27, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, announced today that it has closed an additional $6 million in its Series C funding round. This brings the total funding raised in the company’s series C round to $12.3 million.
Syngenta Ventures, the corporate venture capital subsidiary of Syngenta, and Fletcher Spaght Ventures invested as new investors joining Sevin Rosen Funds, Aurora Funds, Harris and Harris Group, Fulcrum Financial Partners and Alexandria Equities as Series C investors.
As a part of the financing, Carol Marino, Ph.D., Vice President of Syngenta Ventures and Guy Fish, MD, Vice President of Fletcher Spaght will join Metabolon’s Board of Directors. Syngenta, a leading global agribusiness company, also expanded a previously announced research collaboration with Metabolon.
Metabolon offers global biochemical profiling (metabolomic) services to researchers working in drug safety and toxicology, bioprocess optimization, consumer products and other areas which benefit from insight into complex biochemical processes and how they change in response to experimental variables.
The company’s technology has been used to identify biochemical biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics. These markers are being applied to the development of its own proprietary diagnostic tools for prostate cancer and insulin resistance.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
September 29, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (September 29, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced a new study has been published identifying biomarkers for periodontitis and gingivitis. Co-authored by scientists at Colgate-Palmolive, The Forsyth Institute and Metabolon, the paper, “Acceleration of Purine Degradation Pathway by Periodontal Disease”, appears in the Journal of Dental Research (Volume 88, No. 9, 851-855 (September 2009)).
Using Metabolon’s biochemical profiling technology, mechanistically-linked biomarkers were discovered and validated from the crevicular fluid of patients suffering from periodontitis and gingivitis. Several hundred biochemicals were identified in a few microliters of the crevicular fluid found between the tooth and gums. The biomarkers suggest that the diseases are mediated by enhanced purine degradation, a biochemical pathway associated with reactive oxygen species production and cellular inflammation.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
September 16, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (September 16, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced a new study has been published identifying the mechanism of action of the anti-cancer drug GMX1778. Co-authored by scientists at Gemin X Pharmaceuticals and Metabolon, the paper “The Small Molecule GMX1778 is a Potent Inhibitor of NAD+ Biosynthesis: Strategy for Enhanced Therapy in NAPRT1-Deficient Tumors” appears online ahead of print in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
The compound GMX1778 is a very promising cancer therapeutic drug currently in phase I clinical trials. However, despite years of intensive research, its mode of action remained unclear. In this publication, the authors describe how, by using an untargeted metabolomic approach based on Metabolon’s proprietary platform, the mode of action of GMX1778 was clearly identified to be in the inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthetic pathway. A series of follow up experiments performed by Gemin X scientists convincingly validated this finding and further narrowed down the target to be nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), a key regulatory enzyme in NAD biosynthesis. Because of its unique mode of action, GMX1778 can be used as a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of human cancers.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
August 18, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (August 18, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, will participate as invited speakers and discussion facilitators at the fifth annual International Conference of the Metabolomics Society. The conference takes place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from August 30 to September 2.
John Ryals, Ph.D., Metabolon’s chief executive, will address the conference during the Biomedical Biomarkers session with his presentation, titled “The Use of Biochemical Profiling for Biomarker Discovery”. He will describe the application of global biochemical profiling for the identification of biomarkers as well as development of diagnostics based on these biomarkers in a variety of disease areas, including cancer.
Metabolon’s Chief Scientific Officer, Michael Milburn, Ph.D., will also present during the Biomedical Biomarkers track about the use of metabolomics to distinguish insulin-resistant subjects in a non-diabetic population.
In addition, Metabolon’s top metabolomics experts will host six scientific poster sessions at the event offering insight into a variety of research areas. These posters are:
- Identification of Novel Insulin Resistance Metabolites in a Non-Diabetic Population by Global Biochemical Profiling
- Metabolomics for Understanding the Early-Stage Mechanistic Underpinnings of Drug Action and Safety
- Metabolomics-derived Biochemical Markers of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
- Metabolomics for Biopharmaceutical Production
- Automatic Organization of GC/MS and LC/MS Data into Chemical Libraries
- Software Advancements for Performing Compound Identification QC on Large Metabolomic Datasets
The Metabolomics Society is an organization dedicated to promoting the growth, use and understanding of metabolomics in the life sciences. It is an independent, non-profit organization, governed by a board of directors composed of dedicated members of the metabolomics community. Founded in 2004, the Metabolomics Society now has more than 500 members in more than 20 countries. The Fifth Annual International Conference of the Metabolomics Society brings together attendees from around the world to focus on themes impacting metabolomics. Details about the conference can be viewed online at www.metabolomicssociety.org.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
August 12, 2009
New Research Seeks to Understand Toxicological Effects of Fenofibrate
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (August 12, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced a new study has been published which seeks to better understand the toxicological uncertainties of fenofibrate. Co-authored by Metabolon and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, “Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling as an Evaluative Tool of Fenofibrate-Induced Toxicology in Fischer 344 Male Rats” appears in Toxicologic Pathology (Vol. 37, No. 4, 521-535, 2009).
“Complete mechanistic understanding of the full effects of fibrate action is still quite limited,” explained Naohisa Tsutsui, one of the authors of the paper from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. “In this study, we applied global biochemical profiling as a means to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms of fenofibrate and better understand its pharmacology and toxicology. This technology offered us a valuable tool in the process of new hypothesis generation.”
A widely-used drug, fenofibrate belongs to the fibrate class of drugs that have been used to treat patients with a variety of metabolic disorders and is often a preferred therapy in combination with statins to treat people with dyslipidemia. While fenofibrate is considered safe in humans, it is known to have toxicological effect in rodents. This study was an investigation of the efficacy and toxicological effects of this class of drugs in rodents.
“The toxicological concerns surrounding this class of drugs and a true understanding of their mechanisms has long been an area of intensive research,” said Lining Guo, senior director and head of commercial operations with Metabolon. “This study found significant biochemical effects of fenofibrate treatment in rodents that demonstrates the power of a non-targeted metabolomics approach.”
Click here to read the complete abstract of the publication.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
August 11, 2009
Ion Tracker™ Enables the Identification of Individual Biochemicals
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (August 11, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that it has been awarded a patent for its metabolomics software, Ion Tracker™, which provides a mechanism for creating new chemical library entries. The software is designed to greatly accelerate and automate the organization of ion features for mass spectrometry into chemically related sets and expedites the creation of a metabolite library. It is a key component of the company’s global biochemical profiling technology.
Corey DeHaven, senior director of information systems with Metabolon, explained, “This tool gives us a unique advantage because we are able to dig very deeply into datasets and find those underlying chemicals that are not already a part of our library, then add them to the library with very little time or effort. It is in this way that Metabolon has been able to build the world’s largest metabolomic reference library and we continue to add to this database daily.”
The awarded patent (US Patent 7'561'975), titled “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Analyzing Spectrometry Data to Identify and Quantify Individual Component in a Sample”, is the latest addition to Metabolon’s extensive IP portfolio consisting of over 100 US and worldwide patents and patent applications, including broad metabolomics methods, data analysis and biomarker patents, as well as focused product patents.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
August 3, 2009
Publication Details Technology for the Simultaneous Quantification and Qualification of Metabolites
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (August 3, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced the publication of a paper describing Metabolon’s biochemical profiling technology. The paper, titled “Integrated, Nontargeted Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry Platform for the Identification and Relative Quantification of the Small-Molecule Complement of Biological Systems”, appears in Analytical Chemistry.
“This paper describes a general method of profiling biochemicals in a high-throughput and scalable manner which enables the simultaneous quantification and identification of metabolites,” explained Anne M. Evans, Ph.D., senior research scientist with Metabolon and lead author of the publication.
The system described in the paper is an integral part of Metabolon’s commercial metabolomics platform. In addition to the UHPLC-MS/MS system, Metabolon employs a GC-MS system to provide additional breadth of coverage of biochemicals and metabolites.
Specific challenges associated with metabolomics analyses addressed in this paper include:
- Analytical platform variations and the specific advantages of a mass-spectrometry-based approach
- Discussion about the chemocentric approach to metabolite identification
- Challenges in identification and relative quantification of metabolites including elimination of experimental artifacts
- The large number of molecules able to be identified through this approach
Click here to read the complete abstract of the publication.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
July 28, 2009
Senior Vice President to Lead the Company’s Diagnostic Programs
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (July 28, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that Joseph E. Zack has joined the company as senior vice president of diagnostics. Mr. Zack will provide strategic direction and commercial leadership in bringing Metabolon’s diagnostic products to market.
Metabolon’s pioneering metabolomics technology enables the global analysis of complex biological samples and the rapid identification of a wide range of biochemical markers and pathways in virtually any disease or disease state. The company is developing a series of high-value diagnostic tests using this non-targeted approach, with key programs in prostate cancer* and diabetes.
“The wide-spread growth of the molecular diagnostics market and our unique and patented ability to apply metabolomics for disease biomarker discovery presents an exciting opportunity for Metabolon,” commented John Ryals, Metabolon’s CEO. “Joe’s extensive expertise in launching new and innovative diagnostic products will be a valuable asset as we continue to build the infrastructure to support our diagnostic business.”
Mr. Zack has over 30 years of broad business experience in the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic industry, building organizations and launching new products. Prior to Metabolon, he was executive vice president, marketing and sales for Orasure Technologies, where he grew and expanded the company’s diagnostic and device business. Mr. Zack also served as vice president, sales and marketing for OraPharma, where he built and led all commercial operations from start-up through IPO. He has also worked with companies including Advanced Tissue Sciences and Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis). Mr. Zack has a B.A. from Colgate University and an MBA from St. John’s University.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
*Editor’s Note: See the February 11, 2009 press release announcing the discovery of biomarkers of prostate cancer progression published in Nature. (Sreekumar, A, et al. Metabolomic Profiles Delineate Potential Role for Sarcosine in Prostate Cancer Progression. Nature 457:910-914 (2009))
July 8, 2009
Offers Exclusivity in the Area of Disease Biomarker Discovery
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (July 8, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that it has been awarded a series of broad patents covering the use of metabolomics for disease biomarker discovery.
These newly issued patents contain claims covering the use of metabolomics methods to identify small molecule biomarkers that are indicative of disease states. These issuances expand Metabolon’s current patent portfolio which is focused on the use of metabolomics in disease diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery as well as biomarkers associated with specific diseases and the platform technology related to biochemical profiling.
“We believe Metabolon has developed the industry’s leading patent portfolio with 60 issued patents and patents in prosecution in the field of metabolomics,” said Metabolon’s Chief Executive, John Ryals. “Our IP estate gives our commercial services business an important competitive advantage with exclusivity in the use of metabolomics for the identification of disease biomarkers and may be of great value to us in potential diagnostic applications.”
Metabolon’s previously issued patents include the use of metabolomics for determining biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, depression and schizophrenia as well as patents relating to software designed for analyzing metabolomics data. Metabolon is also the exclusive license holder of the Daouk-Kristal patent family which is comprised of early, pioneering patents and patent applications which provide fundamental IP in the field of metabolomics.
The patents most recently awarded to Metabolon are US Patent 7’550’258, US Patent 7’550’260 and US Patent 7’553’616.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
May 7, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (May 7, 2009) — Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that it has closed $5.3 million of an anticipated $11 million Series C funding round. This first portion closed on April 30, with the balance expected within the next 60 to 90 days.
“Our technology has been proven for biomarker discovery through hundreds of studies with many industry-leading partners. As a result, our service business has been very successful and continues to grow,” said John Ryals, chief executive at Metabolon. “Our Series C funding will help to launch our diagnostics business with exciting products in prostate cancer and insulin resistance.”
Metabolon offers global biochemical profiling (metabolomic) services to researchers working in drug safety and toxicology, bioprocess optimization, consumer products and other areas which benefit from insight into complex biochemical processes and how they change in response to experimental variables.
The company’s technology has been used to identify biochemical biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics. These markers are being applied to the development of its own proprietary diagnostic tools for insulin resistance and prostate cancer*. Metabolon also offers research tools based on these biomarkers for investigators.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
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*Editor’s Note: See the February 11, 2009 press release announcing the discovery of biomarkers of prostate cancer progression published in Nature.
April 21, 2009
Published Research Describes Use of Global Biochemical Profiling to Identify Markers
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (April 21, 2009)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced the publication of a research paper co-authored by Metabolon and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. which demonstrates the use of global biochemical profiling to better understand drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
The research described in the publication helped researchers to identify a panel of biomarkers that provide a non-invasive method to detect kidney injury long before the onset of histopathological kidney damage. Metabolon’s research team was able to extract, identify, and quantify biochemicals in a non-targeted and global analytical approach. The results of these studies appear in the April issue of Toxicologic Pathology (Volume 37, Number 3, pp 280-292) in a paper titled “Discovery of Metabolomics Biomarkers for Early Detection of Nephrotoxicity”.
Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is a major concern in pre-clinical trials and the development of many new drug candidates is halted due to unforeseen toxicity profiles and side effects. There are a number of efforts currently underway to identify reliable and early markers for renal function and injury. The current standard measurements of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine are late-stage markers, when kidney damage has already occurred. The availability of the early biomarkers discovered by Metabolon and Teva will provide significant savings in the costs associated with late-stage drug failures.
“Because the kidney is one of the primary sites of drug toxicity and many new drug candidates cause unforeseen and costly toxicological side effects in later stage clinical studies, we have sought ways to identify toxicity faster,” explained Kurt Boudonck, lead author on the publication and project director with Metabolon. “In this study, we have shown that metabolomics is of great utility in identifying very early biomarkers of drug-induced kidney malfunction.”
Please click here to read the complete abstract.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
April 20, 2009
Academic and Government Researchers Selected to Receive Metabolomic Analysis
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC. (April 20, 2008)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced the launch of the Metabolomics Research Grant program. The program, designed to help promote and expand metabolomics as a tool for academic and government investigators as well as encourage novel, high-quality research publications, offers grants to qualified institutions to conduct global biochemical profiling (metabolomics) studies. These studies provide mechanistic insight into a variety of complex biological systems.
As one of the first Metabolon grant recipients, Bhanu Chandra Mulukutla, with the University of Minnesota, will leverage the global profiling study to investigate cellular biochemical changes in biopharmaceutical production. “This metabolomic approach will immensely compliment our proteomic and transcriptomic studies in probing for the changes between different metabolic states observed in mammalian cell culture processes. We hope that this integrated omics approach will allow us to identify cues which might be responsible for switching the cells between these different metabolic states that effect productivity of recombinant antibodies.”
Metabolon will regularly select studies for the grant program based on the scientific merit and impact of the proposed study. The grant can be applied toward Metabolon’s mView metabolomics service and will cover some or all of the cost of the service. Studies which are ideal for the program are designed to investigate the biochemical changes in a complex biological system by comparing relative changes in concentrations between two groups, control vs. treated, normal vs. disease, wild-type vs. knock-out, or a time course.
The mView analysis results in the identification of hundreds of biochemicals in a sample, including amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, cofactors, nucleosides, and other metabolites. Using statistical analysis to compare groups, it is possible to quickly pinpoint biochemical perturbations related to the experiment—be it a drug, a disease state, a dietary change, or other experimental variable.
John Ryals, chief executive at Metabolon, offered insight into the foundation of the program. “We had originally launched our sponsored research program with the intention of selecting one winner of a free global biochemical profiling study. Our team was so impressed with the caliber of research being conducted and at the utility we could provide to that research, that we created the Metabolon Sponsored Research program. We are pleased to be able to continue our investment in the academic community.”
Organizations selected to participate in the inaugural round of the program include the University of Oxford, University at Buffalo, Cancer Research UK and the University of Minnesota.
To learn more about the Metabolon Sponsored Research program and the company’s mView services, please visit www.metabolon.com/services/GrantProgram.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
March 16, 2009
Newly Published Study Describes Use of Global Biochemical Profiling to Analyze the Effects of Cigarette Smoke
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (March 16, 2008)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced the availability of a new publication which describes the use of the company’s global biochemical profiling technology in a study conducted in collaboration with the Lorillard Tobacco Company.
The paper, titled “Effects of Mainstream Cigarette Smoke on the Global Metabolome of Human Lung Epithelial Cells”, describes the first research study to apply global biochemical profiling to help researchers better understand cellular changes associated with cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 identified compounds, all in different classes, which makes understanding its cellular impact very complex.
“Metabolon’s technology has been applied to a wide variety of different industries and research areas—many seeking to understand incredibly complex systems,” explained Michael Milburn, chief scientific officer with Metabolon. “In this study, for example, we were able to create a better understanding of cigarette smoke effects on lung epithelial cells.”
The study results, published in the January 22, 2009 issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology, described the use of global biochemical profiling in the study:
“Many of the changed biochemicals were previously reported to be altered by cigarette exposure, but the global metabolomic approach offers the advantage of observing changes to hundreds of biochemicals in a single experiment and the possibility for new discoveries. The metabolomic approach may thus be used as a screening tool to evaluate conventional and novel tobacco products offering the potential to reduce risks of smoking.”
Visit http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx8003246?prevSearch=Cigarette+Smoke&searchHistoryKey to read the complete abstract.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
February 24, 2009
mFocus TST is the First Quantitative Assay for Prostate Cancer Progression
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (February 24, 2008)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that it has released mFocus TST™ (Tissue-based Sarcosine Test), a research use only assay that measures the level of sarcosine in a biological sample. Based on biomarkers identified in a study conducted by Metabolon to better understand the metabolic changes associated with prostate cancer progression, the assay is the first available test that reports a biochemistry-based measurement of prostate cancer aggressiveness.
mFocus TST is the first in a series of new research tool offerings developed using Metabolon’s proprietary biochemical profiling technology which is uniquely able to identify and measure hundreds of biochemicals and metabolites in a biological sample. Using sophisticated statistical analysis, panels of biochemical markers most closely associated with a particular disease are selected for an assay. Additional research tools developed by Metabolon are planned including tests for specific types of toxicity as well as insulin resistance.
“The mFocus TST research tool provides researchers with a novel way to gain insight into the biochemical progression of cancer,” explained Jeff Shuster, director, diagnostics development at Metabolon. “This test was designed as a powerful tool for better understanding of metastatic cancers as it identifies elevated levels of sarcosine, shown to be indicative of aggressive cancers of the prostate.”
The original study, conducted with the University of Michigan, used Metabolon’s biochemical profiling to generate global, non-targeted metabolic analysis of tissue, urine and plasma samples. The researchers were able to identify a series of metabolites (including sarcosine) that are key potential predictors of cancer aggressiveness. The complete publication detailing the results of this study appeared in the February 12, 2009 edition of Nature*.
Pricing details and additional information for mFocus TST and other Metabolon services are available upon request.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.
*Sreekumar, A, Poisson, LM, Rajendiran, TM, Khan, AP, Cao, Q, Yu, J, Laxman, B, Mehra, R, Lonigro, RJ, Li, Y, Nyati, MK, Ahsan, A, Kalyana-Sundaram, S, Han, B, Cao, X, Byun, J, Omenn, GS, Ghosh, D, Pennathur, S, Alexander, DC, Berger, A, Shuster, JR, Wei, JT, Varambally, S, Beecher, C, and Chinnaiyan, AM. Metabolomic Profiles Delineate Potential Role for Sarcosine in Prostate Cancer Progression. Nature 457:910-914 (2009)
February 11, 2009
Study Published in Nature Identifies Critical Biomarkers
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (February 11, 2008)—Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced that the company’s global biochemical profiling technology has been used to identify biomarkers indicative of prostate cancer progression. The results of the study, conducted with researchers at the University of Michigan, will be published in the February 12 issue of Nature in a paper titled “Metabolomic profiles delineate potential role for sarcosine in prostate cancer progression”.
The study described in the Nature paper was undertaken to better understand and profile the metabolic changes associated with prostate cancer progression. Using Metabolon’s biochemical profiling to generate global, non-targeted metabolic analysis of tissue, urine and plasma samples, the researchers were able to identify a series of metabolites (including sarcosine) that are key potential predictors of cancer aggressiveness.
Applying the biomarkers identified in this study, under exclusive license from the University of Michigan, Metabolon plans to make available a research tool for investigators to better understand tumor aggressivity in prostate cancer and other cancers.
“Gaining mechanistic understanding of a disease is the key to discovering new diagnostics,” said John Ryals, chief executive with Metabolon. “The exciting results of this study are an example of just how valuable metabolomic profiling is in the identification of biomarkers.”
The lead author of the paper, Dr. Arul M. Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., director, Michigan Center for Translational Pathology and S.P. Hicks endowed professor of pathology, led the research studies that resulted in the discovery of the prostate cancer progression biomarkers described in the Nature publication. Dr. Chinnaiyan’s team focuses on the development of new molecular tests and therapies for human disease with a primary focus on cancer.
The complete publication detailing the results of this study can be accessed online at http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html and in the February 12, 2009 print edition of Nature.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.