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- Posted Wednesday February 3, 2010
TGen and Geisinger Health System Announce Strategic Partnership to Shape Future of Personalized Medicine
Obesity and diabetes focus of first study
PHOENIX, Ariz., and DANVILLE, Pa. - Feb. 3, 2010 - The
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Geisinger
Health System today announced the signing of a strategic research
agreement that provides for a focused look at the gaps in clinical
medicine where biomedical research can make a difference.
One of the first projects will focus on the causes of obesity,
diabetes and other metabolic conditions. Researchers plan to look
at the possible genetic reasons why so many Americans are
overweight, and why diet, exercise and, specifically, bariatric
surgery may fail to significantly reduce excess weight in some
patients.
TGen, a non-profit biomedical research institute based in Phoenix,
will pair its genomic and proteomic research expertise with the
clinical excellence and research expertise of Geisinger, a
non-profit medical and insurance provider based in Danville,
Pa.
Geisinger's strength is its integrated healthcare delivery model,
nontransitory population and advanced electronic health record
(EHR) with nearly two decades of data. In addition to providing the
clinical underpinnings for the study of obesity, the data within
the EHR will provide researchers the evidence they need to make
discoveries in future projects centered on cancer and other serious
diseases.
"Merging Geisinger's wealth of clinical information with our
genomic and proteomic expertise should provide researchers a richer
framework for exploring the genetic origins of disease, and
hopefully lead to improved treatments and outcomes," said Dr.
Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., TGen's President and Research Director.
TGen emphasizes a translational research process intended to
quickly turn laboratory discoveries into new drugs and other
treatments that can benefit patients, a goal shared by
Geisinger.
"Given our unique research structure and a patient population that
overwhelmingly supports cutting-edge research, I am confident that
this partnership will allow us to test and apply new clinical
translation theories to patient care," said Glenn D. Steele, Jr.,
M.D., Ph.D., Geisinger's President and CEO. "I look forward to the
results of this first study, as I am confident we can greatly
improve the outcomes for individuals coping with obesity and its
many associated complications."
According to 2009 Census data, nearly one-third of the U.S. adult
population is overweight and considered obese. The impact of
obesity on one's health is great, often leading to a shortened
lifespan. A disease, obesity is not always caused by overeating or
lack of exercise, and research has shown there is often an
underlying genetic component leading to excess weight gain.
David Carey, Ph.D., Director of the Sigfried and Janet Weis Center
for Research, located on the campus of the Geisinger Medical
Center, agreed that the collaboration should advance patient care.
"Identification of patients at risk for chronic metabolic diseases
would provide enormous benefit to health care. Geisinger's ability
to obtain detailed, electronic health information in real time for
a large, stable patient population will significantly accelerate
this research effort."
Johanna DiStefano, Ph.D., Director of TGen's Diabetes,
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases Division, will lead TGen's
efforts to understand the genetic basis of obesity and liver
disease. She said research strategies would capitalize on the
synergistic strengths of a large multidisciplinary research program
in obesity at Geisinger. "I am confident that the long-term results
of this collaboration will yield improved diagnostic and
therapeutic outcomes for countless individuals suffering from
chronic metabolic diseases."
TGen also plans to bring to bear its collaboration with the
Partnership for Personalized Medicine (PPM), which includes TGen,
Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute and the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The PPM's mission is to improve
medical outcomes and reduced costs through more effective diagnosis
of disease risk, early stage, and matching patients to
therapies.
"Working with Geisinger will provide yet another significant
opportunity for the Partnership for Personalized Medicine to
provide better evidence to meet the specific medical needs of
individual patients," said Lee Hartwell, Ph.D., a 2001 Nobel
laureate and Executive Committee Chairman of PPM.
The research partnership between TGen and Geisinger will also
address some of the nation's other critical health challenges.
Preliminary discussions covered such research areas as genetic
variations that predispose individuals to disease, congestive heart
failure, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and the potential side effects
of prescription drugs.
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About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System is based in Danville,
Pa., and is one of the nation's largest integrated health services
organizations. Serving more than 2 million residents throughout
central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led
organization is at the forefront of the nation's rapidly emerging
electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two
medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 740-member group
practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and a research
program dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient
care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information,
visit: www.geisinger.org.
Press Contact:
Patti Urosevich, National Media Manager
Office: 570-271-6435
Pager: 570-988-2768
Cell: 570-204-1848
[email protected]
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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]
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