Life Technologies Foundation speeds knowledge of molecular
medicine
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 1, 2010 - The philanthropic arm of Life
Technologies has announced $5 million in doctor-training grants,
including $300,000 for the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen).
The Life Technologies Foundation anticipates the grant will
accelerate the education of doctors in the field of molecular
medicine, enabling them to better understand the wealth of genomic
laboratory discoveries and how those findings might translate into
improved treatments for their patients.
TGen, a non-profit biomedical research institute, will use the Life
Technologies' funding for two fellowships in genomic and molecular
medicine, focusing on the treatment of rare cancers.
The fellowships will be under the direction of Dr. Daniel Von Hoff,
TGen's Physician-In-Chief and Chief Scientific Officer for TGen
Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare (TCRS), that
provides a direct clinical research site for treating patients with
rare tumors. TCRS enables molecular and genomic discoveries made by
TGen and others around the world to reach the patient bedside as
quickly as possible at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at
Scottsdale Healthcare.
The goal, within three years, would be to identify three molecular
targets in three rare cancers, and develop therapeutic agents to
hit these targets, with the hope of immediately applying the
results to patient care.
"The purpose of this project is to tackle rare cancers by using all
available technologies to find the specific genetic mutations - a
cancer's "Achilles' heel" - so new treatments can be developed,''
Dr. Von Hoff said.
Dr. Von Hoff is confident that TGen's technology platforms, support
for discovery research, therapeutic environment, and proven success
in finding effective anti-cancer agents will attract a strong
talent base.
Under Dr. Von Hoff's direction, the funds will also be used for
workshops for physicians interested in understanding how genomics
can be used to change the course of medical treatment.
"Using rare cancers as a rallying cry, we propose to start a
specialized and highly competitive 'boot camp' that young
physicians would apply to each year," Dr. Von Hoff said.
Upon completing the course, the doctors would join TGen's Molecular
Medicine Working Group, becoming the next generation of physicians
trained in multiple aspects of molecular medicine.
The work products of these boot camps would be turned into an
on-line course, accessible by others. By focusing on molecular
targets for rare cancers, it is anticipated that the Achilles'
Heels of more common types of cancers also will be
discovered.
"This program will strike a chord with patients and their families
that someone cares about what they are going through, and is
actually doing something about it,'' Dr. Von Hoff said.
Rare cancers kill 41,000 people every year in the United States and
three times that number worldwide. Rare cancers include tumors like
thyroid cancer, adrenal cancer, acute leukemia and gallbladder
cancer, which are particularly high among Arizona's Native American
populations. Other rare cancers include brain tumors in children
and cervical cancer among women.
Patients with rare cancers often find it difficult to find proper
medical care because so few scientists are working on advances for
rare cancers. TGen, however, specializes in several forms of rare
cancers because they frequently have specific genetic mutations or
translocations that make them vulnerable to new therapies. Examples
are mutations in chronic myelogenous leukemia, in basal cell
carcinoma and childhood medulloblastoma.
Gregory Lucier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Life
Technologies, stressed the need for advancing physician
training.
"The pace of innovation is rapid, and the need for solutions that
affect human health requires ever greater velocity," Lucier said.
"We are committed to taking the steps necessary, from the
introduction of new products to greater financial investments and
educational initiatives, to enable the translation of sequencing
solutions from the research lab to the clinic."
*
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:LIFE) is a global biotechnology
tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our
systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate
scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments
that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their
work across the biological spectrum, working to advance
personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics,
agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century
forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in
2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more
than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual
property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive
licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of
Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc., and
manufactures both in-vitro diagnostic products and research use
only-labeled products. For more information on how we are making a
difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetech.com.
Follow Life Technologies on Twitter @LIFECorporation and on
Facebook.
*
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
# # #