By Ludwig Burger

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Software engineers are moving to the fore in the war on cancer, designing programmes that sift genetic sequencing data at lightning speed and minimal cost to identify patterns in tumors that could lead to the next medical breakthrough.

Their analysis aims to pinpoint the mutations in our genetic code that drive cancers as diverse as breast, ovarian and bowel. The more precise their work is, the better the chance of developing an effective new drug.

Ever since James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA in 1953, scientists have been puzzling over how genes make us who we are. The confluence of computing and medicine is accelerating the pace of genetic research.

But making sense of the swathes of data has become a logjam.

That, in turn has created an opportunity for computer geeks and tech firms such as Microsoft, SAP and Amazon.

Oncology is the largest area of therapy in the global drugs market with market researcher IMS predicting it will increase to $83-$88 billion by 2016 from $62 billion in 2011. Computational genomics - using computers to decipher a person's genetic instructions and the mutations in cancerous cells - is emerging as the driver of this growth.

Life Technologies Corp and Illumina Inc are among firms developing equipment that can extract a person's entire genetic code - their genome - from a cell sample.

The newest machines are about the size of an office printer and can sequence a genome in a day, compared with six to eight weeks a few years ago. They can read the 3.2 billion chemical "bases" that make up the human genetic code for $1,000, compared with $100,000 dollars in 2008.

Growing numbers of software engineers are needed to help make sense of all this data.

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Insight: Crunching the numbers to boost odds against cancer

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Newswise By decoding the genomes of more than 1,000 people whose homelands stretch from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Americas, scientists have compiled the largest and most detailed catalog yet of human genetic variation. The massive resource will help medical researchers find the genetic roots of rare and common diseases in populations worldwide.

The 1000 Genomes Project involved some 200 scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and other institutions. Results detailing the DNA variations of individuals from 14 ethnic groups are published Oct. 31 in the journal Nature. Eventually, the initiative will involve 2,500 individuals from 26 populations.

With this resource, researchers have a roadmap to search for the genetic origins of diseases in populations around the globe, says one of the study's co-principal investigators, Elaine Mardis, PhD, co-director of The Genome Institute at Washington University. We estimate that each person carries up to several hundred rare DNA variants that could potentially contribute to disease. Now, scientists can investigate how detrimental particular rare variants are in different ethnic groups.

At the genetic level, any two people are more than 99 percent alike. But rare variants those that occur with a frequency of 1 percent or less in a population are thought to contribute to rare diseases as well as common conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Rare variants may also explain why some medications are not effective in certain people or cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia and sometimes even heart problems or death.

Identifying rare variants across different populations is a major goal of the project. During the pilot phase of the effort, the researchers found that most rare variants differed from one population to another, and that they developed recently in human evolutionary history, after populations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas diverged from a single group. The current study bears this out.

This information is crucial and will improve our interpretation of individual genomes, says another of the study's co-principal investigators, Richard K. Wilson, PhD, director of The Genome Institute and a pioneer in cancer genome sequencing. Now, if we want to study cancer in Mexican Americans or Japanese Americans, for example, we can do so in the context of their diverse geographic or ancestry-based genetic backgrounds.

Results of the new study are based on DNA sequencing of the following populations: Yoruba in Nigeria; Han Chinese in Beijing; Japanese in Tokyo; Utah residents with ancestry from northern and western Europe; Luhya in Kenya; people of African ancestry in the southwestern United States; Toscani in Italy; people of Mexican ancestry in Los Angeles; Southern Han Chinese in China; Iberian from Spain; British in England and Scotland; Finnish from Finland; Colombians in Columbia; and Puerto Rican in Puerto Rico.

All study participants submitted anonymous DNA samples and agreed to have their genetic data included in an online database. To catalog the variants, the researchers first sequenced the entire genome all the DNA of each individual in the study about five times. Surveying the genome in this way finds common DNA changes but misses many rare variants.

Then, to find rare variants, they repeatedly sequenced the small portion of the genome that contains genes about 80 times for each participant to ensure accuracy and they looked closely for single letter changes in the DNA sequence called SNPs (for single-nucleotide polymorphisms).

Using special tools developed to analyze and integrate the data, the researchers discovered a total of 38 million SNPs, including more than 99 percent of the variants with at frequency of at least one percent in the participants DNA samples. They also found numerous structural variations, including 1.4 million short stretches of insertions or deletions and 14,000 large DNA deletions.

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Public release date: 31-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mary Rice mary.rice@riceconseil.eu European Society of Human Genetics

In response to the on-line publication by the European Journal of Human Genetics today (Wednesday) of an article by US researchers led by Dr. Robert Cook-Degan, a former member of the US Office of Technology Assessment, showing that Myriad Genetics, providers of the BRCA1/2 genetic test in the US, has amassed vast quantities of clinical data without sharing it, Professor Martina Cornel, chair of the European Society of Human Genetics' Professional and Public Policy committee, said:

"We are very concerned that such important data is being withheld from those who most need it. Interpreting the variants of unknown significance (VUS) that may be found on analysing the patient's genome plays an essential part in being able to provide proper counselling and if necessary, preventive or therapeutic guidance. By not sharing their data on the VUS obtained from individuals undergoing BRCA1/2 testing, where Myriad is the sole commercial provider of a test in the US, geneticists have been unable to develop the up-to-date algorithms that are necessary to best interpret the effects of genetic variants. While Myriad has access to public databases in order to help interpret their VUS results, this is currently not reciprocal.

"We know that, regrettably, medical geographic inequities are common, but what is particularly worrying about this situation is that it is the first time that such inequities have been based on a lack of access to clinical information, rather than lack of a product. Myriad's stated aim to enter the European market more vigorously may lead to unfair competition with academic institutions for predictive precision. It is vital that progress towards personalised medicine, which holds out so much promise, is not hindered by companies maintaining private genomic databases. Policymakers should take an urgent look at the regulatory and reimbursement issues involved in genomic testing in order for all the data that is essential to understanding the clinical significance of VUS to be made public, to the benefit of patients and healthcare providers alike."

###

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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Privately owned genetic databases may hinder diagnosis and bar the way to the arrival of personalized medicine

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Paleo Solution
Do you want stay young and look fit, and keep clear of heart disease, Parkinson #39;s, Alzheimer #39;s and a bunch of other disaeases? The Paleo Solution uses the latest research from genetics, to make sure you look, feel and perform your best. A research biochemist who traded in his lab coat and pocket protector became one of the most wanted strength and conditioning coaches in the world. With this unique perspective as both scientist and coach you will learn how simple nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes can alter your health and appearance for the better.From:tabhol4Views:140 1ratingsTime:04:19More inNews Politics

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Hidden Source Episode 3 -Richard Has A Pussy-
Make sure to like and favorite this video, and feel free to subscribe for daily content. Give me feedback on how i can improve my videos or tells us what you would like to see, by leaving a comment! Twitch- http://www.twitch.tv Twitter- twitter.com Myself SouLxTRaPPeR playing some The Hidden Source! Nobody can see The Hidden only trained eyes can see him well! The objective of The Hidden Source is that the humans aka IRIS must eliminate The Hidden to win vice versa for the Hidden but as the title says he is invisible and only is equipped with a knife capable of a one hit kill depending on server and only three grenades. The hidden has many abilities like taunting, super strength to ram objects into IRIS soldiers or be able to leap super high and hang on buildings. Lastly The Hidden can heal himself by eating bodies but only if they are stabbed to death not PIGSTICKED! (which is the one hit kill move) The IRIS are equipped with four weapons ranging from shotgun to rifle to SMG and a few options of equipment like senors to laser optics on your gun. Game is The Hidden Source which requires Half life 2 engine meaning you have to have Half Life 2 purchased already or another source game to run with STORYLINE In the early 1950s human genetics experimentation was taking its first, tentative steps. Amongst many other black projects, a team of British scientists working at an Infinitum Research experimental station stumbled across some remarkable phenomena involving DNA manipulation ...From:SouLxTRaPPeRViews:1 1ratingsTime:07:54More inGaming

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Chapter 9: The Molecular Biology of Translation (Part 1 of 4)
Texas Tech University Genetics Course student tutorial.From:NFHSdrummerViews:0 0ratingsTime:07:26More inEducation

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Chapter 9: The Molecular Biology of Translation (Part 1 of 4) - Video

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In Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future
ST. LOUIS mdash; Genetics researchers at Washington University, one of the world #39;s leading centers for work on the human genome, were devastated. Dr. Lukas Wartman, a young, talented and beloved colleague, had the very cancer he had devoted his career to studying. He was deteriorating fast. No known treatment could save him. And no one, to their knowledge, had ever investigated the complete genetic makeup of a cancer like his.From:daniel santosViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:15More inEntertainment

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Chapter 9: The Molecular Biology of Translation (Part 2.5 of 4)
TTU GeneticsFrom:NFHSdrummerViews:0 0ratingsTime:05:36More inEducation

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Chapter 9: The Molecular Biology of Translation (Part 3 of 4)
TTU GeneticsFrom:NFHSdrummerViews:0 0ratingsTime:10:01More inEducation

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Chapter 9: The Molecular Biology of Translation (Part 3 of 4) - Video

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mRNA Splicing: A Comedy
for our Genetics presentation. Good times.From:Stephanie RayViews:1 0ratingsTime:02:44More inEducation

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Update on wild caught bluegill + feeding
Progress update on the wild caught bluegill. "On average, most wild caught fish are caught with nets in their native body of water. Once the fishermen return with the fish, they are often help in large holding vats. Depending on the exporter, they can be held for 1 week to 1 month or longer. The wild tropical fish are then prepared for shipment. Exporters then take the wild caught fish to the airport for shipping. The wild tropical fish are then sent to the local fish importers and distributors. One must be licensed as a tropical fish importer to receive packages from other countries. The fish are then received, unpacked, and put into holding tanks. The wild tropical fish will be held in the distributor #39;s tanks until they are ready to be shipped to local fish stores. As you can see, these wild caught fish go through a lot before they get to our tanks. Lets review: wild tropical fish are caught, packaged and held in native land, next they are packed and shipped overseas to your home country, next they are unpacked and held in a distributor #39;s local facility, then packaged and shipped again to your local fish store, followed by being held at the local fish store, and finally packed and sent home to your tropical fish tank. Now think about all the different water conditions these fish have been exposed to. This is why it is very important to ensure that you have excellent water conditions when you bring your new tropical fish home. Benefits of Wild Caught Fish: There are ...From:Bakedea87Views:0 0ratingsTime:06:33More inPets Animals

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Miranda kerr Named Esquire UK Sexiest Woman Alive
Miranda Kerr, reminding human beings everywhere of the professional benefits associated with having both inner/outer beauty and a highly unattainable lifestyle indebted to yoga, berries and winning the genetics lottery, has just been named as Esquire UK #39;s "sexiest woman alive". The ubiquitous Gunnedah beauty covers the new December issue of the UK men #39;s periodical, appearing in a NSFW David Slijper cover shoot in basically a jacket, high heels and underwear. Surprise! Hard as it is to believe though, our favourite part is the interview that comes with it. We especially like the bit where she talks about her past life as a koala. "I still like to climb the odd tree. Yeah, it #39;s fun! I like to climb. I find it very rewarding. You feel like you #39;re going somewhere," she explains. "I don #39;t like abseiling, though. I don #39;t like going down. I like going up. It is though! I got stuck up a tree when I was about seven, and my dad had to come and get the ladder to get me down. I loved to climb all the way up to the top. I must have been a koala in my past life."From:WorldNews365Views:3 0ratingsTime:01:44More inEntertainment

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Lost Civilizations Races - Patrick Chouinard - Coast to Coast AM Classic
Date: 05-16-12 Host: George Noory Guests: Patrick Chouinard, Marc Zicree, Doug Drexler, Neil Johnson Independent researcher, Pat Chouinard, discussed his work investigating the myths and traditions of ancient civilizations, why he believes they were actually real, and how archaeological discoveries suggest there were different species of humans roaming the planet in the past. He refuted the popular paranormal theory that ancient legends about #39;gods #39; are actually references to aliens. On the contrary, Chouinard contended that these tales are factual and that advanced, god-like beings as well as monsters and dragons are "true in the truest sense of the word." Over the course of the evening, Chouinard also talked about Caucasian mummies discovered in China, ET artifacts on Mars, and his belief in a "cosmic God," which oversees all of the universe. Chouinard detailed the intriguing findings revealed by the discovery of an ancient species of human dubbed the #39;X-Woman of Siberia. #39; According to him, genome information gleaned from the bones showed that it possessed the capacity for high intelligence and was neither neanderthal nor homo sapien. Based on the genetics, Chouinard described them as giants, compared to their bipedal contemporaries, and said that they looked like a cross between modern humans and the progenitors of the neanderthals. He theorized that the Siberian discovery, as well as finds in the country of Georgia and the #39;hobbits #39; of Flores, suggest that the cradle ...From:C2CPlanetViews:6 0ratingsTime:02:32:52More inEducation

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SAN DIEGO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Good Start Genetics, a leading and innovative molecular diagnostics company offering the new gold standard for genetic disease carrier screening, announced today that it has launched an expanded menu of testing services. The announcement, made at this week's annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), means that Good Start Genetics' screening service, GoodStart Select, now offers state-of-the-art testing for all 23 of the diseases recommended in guidelines set by the major medical societies, including the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and societies supporting the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Good Start's screening services centers on the revolutionary, next- generation DNA sequencing platform - which can detect far more disease-causing mutations than the older, genotyping-based platform - with the goal of providing the highest carrier detection rates possible.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111012/NY84930LOGO )

In addition to its menu of pan-ethnic tests (e.g. cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome and spinal muscular atrophy), tests for hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell anemia, alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia) and routine tests for the Ashkenazi Jewish population, Good Start now offers the following additional tests: dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency, familial hyperinsulinism, glycogen storage disease type 1a, Joubert syndrome 2, maple syrup urine diseases type A/B, nemaline myopathy, Usher syndrome type 1F, Usher syndrome type III, and Walker-Warburg syndrome.

Good Start performs testing in its CAP- and CLIA-accredited, state-of-the-art laboratory facility located in Cambridge, MA, and has built a dedicated team of customer care specialists, genetic counselors and board certified medical geneticists to support patients and clinics. Good Start works closely with patients and their insurance providers to simplify the billing and payment process. In addition, as part of its mission to provide accurate, simple and responsible testing, Good Start has launched a new web site, which includes patient and physician-friendly tools that facilitate in the test selection process. (Good Start's test menu can be customized for each patient based on family history, patient ethnicity, or any other criteria the clinician deems important.)

"Reproductive healthcare professionals have long followed guideline recommendations for carrier screening for their patients planning pregnancy," said Michael Alper, M.D., Medical Director & Reproductive Endocrinologist, Boston IVF. "However, conventional screening methods have, to date, been limited by either their rigidity or the relatively small number of mutations that can be analyzed in a specific gene. Given recent advancements with the next-generation sequencing technology, we are pleased to be able to offer Good Start's technology to our patients in routine clinical practice."

"We are excited to make these additional tests available, and to meet the growing screening needs of new families and those wishing to start families," said Don Hardison, Good Start Genetics President and Chief Executive Officer. "And, using our next generation sequencing platform, we are already detecting mutations that other laboratories simply cannot. With this powerful technology, combined with our intense customer focus, we are confident we are delivering the best screening experience possible for patients and clinicians and, most importantly, critical information that can help increase a couple's chance of having a healthy baby. As a result, we expect that our sequencing-based approach to screening will continue to replace older, genotyping-based approaches and solidify our reputation as a leader in the carrier screening market."

BackgroundAccording to figures from the U.S. Human Genome Project, there are more than 6,000 known single-gene disorders, which in aggregate affect about 1 out of every 200 births.[1] National organizations, such as ACOG and ACMG, recommend that preconception and prenatal carrier screening be made available for couples for a numerous genetic disorders, so that healthcare providers and their patients can better understand the risks of the patient being a carrier of a genetic disorder, and, therefore, the risk of passing that gene or disease on to their offspring.

Routine genetic carrier screening has traditionally employed targeted mutation analysis technologies via 'genotyping' platforms, which, due to cost considerations, are designed to detect only a small number of the most common disease-causing mutations which are prevalent in only specific populations. The next-generation sequencing platform developed by Good Start Genetics, however, allows for a more comprehensive determination of carrier status in routine clinical practice because it is not limited to a small targeted mutation set and, therefore, can achieve high clinical sensitivities regardless of ethnicity.

About Good Start GeneticsGood Start Genetics is setting the new gold standard in carrier screening in routine clinical practice by making testing for the most comprehensive set of disease-causing mutations. After years of development and rigorous validation, Good Start Genetics has harnessed the power of next-generation sequencing and other best-in-class technologies to provide highly accurate, actionable, and affordable tests for all ACOG-and ACMG-recommended disorders. For these reasons, fertility specialists and their patients can have a high degree of confidence in their carrier screening results, and no longer have to compromise accuracy for price. For online information about Good Start Genetics, please visit http://www.goodstartgenetics.com.

These tests were developed and their performance characteristics determined by Good Start Genetics. They have not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the laboratory is regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as qualified to perform high complexity clinical testing and the tests have been analytically validated in accordance with CLIA standards. Good Start Genetics is both CLIA- and CAP-accredited.

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Good Start Genetics® Announces The Expansion of its Next-Generation DNA Sequencing -Based Carrier Screening Service

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Published: Oct. 30, 2012 at 8:07 PM

HINXTON, England, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Scientists using DNA sequencing say they've uncovered a previously unknown period when the human population expanded rapidly in prehistory.

The sequencing of 36 complete Y chromosomes revealed this population explosion occurred 40,000 to 50,000 years ago, between the first expansion of modern humans out of Africa 60,000 to 70,000 ago and the Neolithic expansions of people in several parts of the world starting 10,000 years ago, Britain's Wellcome Trust Sangster Institute reported.

"We have always considered the expansion of humans out of Africa as being the largest population expansion of modern humans, but our research questions this theory," Wei Wei of the Sanger Institute and the West China University of Medical Sciences said.

"Now we've found a second wave of expansion that is much larger in terms of human population growth and occurred over a very short period, somewhere between 40,000 to 50,000 years ago."

One possible theory is that during the original out-of-Africa expansion, humans moved along the coastlines of the world, settling as they went.

Their origins and genetic makeup would make them suited to coastal life, but not to the demands of living inland.

"We think this second, previously unknown population boom, may have occurred as humans adapted to their new environment after the first out-of-Africa expansion," institute researcher Qasim Ayub said.

"It took them tens of thousands of years to adapt to the mountainous, forested surroundings on the inner continents. "However, once their genetic makeup was suited to these new environments, the population increased extremely rapidly as the groups traveled inland and took advantage of the abundance of space and food," Ayub said.

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Genetics suggest global human expansion

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BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) announced today that it will report its third quarter and year-to-date 2012 financial results on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, after the close of financial markets. Following the announcement, company management will host a conference call and webcast discussion of the results and provide a general corporate update. Access to the event can be obtained as follows:

LIVE access on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time / 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

REPLAY access

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval of ADCETRIS in August 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage ADC programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Agensys (an affiliate of Astellas), Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys and Genmab. More information can be found at http://www.seattlegenetics.com.

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Seattle Genetics to Host Conference Call and Webcast Discussion of Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results on November 7 ...

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London, November 1 (ANI): A team led by University of Colorado Boulder researchers has found that genetic similarities may help to explain why human birds of a feather flock together, but the full story of why people become friends "is contingent upon the social environment in which individuals interact with one another."

People are more likely to befriend genetically similar people when their environment is stratified, when disparate groups are discouraged from interacting, the study found.

When environments were more egalitarian, friends were less likely to share certain genes.

Scientists debate the extent to which genetics or environmental factors-"nature" or "nurture"-predict certain behaviours, said Jason Boardman, associate professor of sociology and faculty research associate with the Population Program in CU-Boulder's Institute of Behavioral Science.

"For all the social demographic outcomes we care about, whether it's fertility, marriage, migration, health, it's never nature or nurture. It's always nature and nurture. And most of the time it has a lot more to do with nurture," he said.

Boardman's team included Benjamin Domingue, research associate in the Population Program at IBS; and Jason Fletcher, associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health.

Early last year, PNAS published a study reporting evidence that certain shared genes might determine peoples' choice of friends. Time magazine dubbed this "friends with (genetic) benefits."

Boardman is a sociologist who spent five years studying genetics at CU-Boulder's Institute for Behavioral Genetics to bring insights of the social sciences to the natural sciences.

The research team used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Boardman's team focused on 1,503 pairs of friends in seventh through 12th grade in 41 schools. As with the earlier study, Boardman's group found that some pairs of friends shared certain genetic characteristics.

The team tested the evidence, arguing that if genes were the driving friendship factor, genetically based friendship should emerge most often and easily in schools with the least amount of social friction.

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Both genetics and environment influence peoples' choice of friends

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BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) today announced that it has expanded its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration with Abbott (ABT). Under the expanded deal, Abbott will pay an upfront fee of $25 million for rights to utilize Seattle Genetics auristatin-based ADC technology with antibodies to additional oncology targets. In addition, Seattle Genetics may receive up to $220 million in potential milestone payments per additional target upon achieving predetermined development and commercial objectives, as well as mid-to-high single-digit royalties on worldwide net sales of any resulting products under the multi-target collaboration.

ADCs have emerged as an important therapeutic approach to cancer, driven by the FDA approval of ADCETRIS, and encouraging data from numerous clinical and preclinical ADC programs in development by Seattle Genetics and our collaborators, said Natasha Hernday, Vice President, Corporate Development at Seattle Genetics. We are leading the field in ADC development, and this expanded collaboration with Abbott further validates our technology and approach in targeting and treating cancer.

Seattle Genetics and Abbott originally entered into an ADC collaboration in March 2011 under which Abbott paid an upfront fee of $8 million for rights to utilize Seattle Genetics ADC technology with antibodies to a single oncology target. Abbott is responsible for research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any ADC products under the expanded collaboration. In addition to the upfront payment and potential milestone payments and royalties, Seattle Genetics will receive annual maintenance fees and research support payments for assistance provided to Abbott under the collaboration.

ADCs are monoclonal antibodies that are designed to selectively deliver cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. With over a decade of experience and knowledge in ADC innovation, Seattle Genetics has developed proprietary technology employing synthetic cytotoxic agents, such as monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF), and stable linker systems that attach these cytotoxic agents to the antibody. Seattle Genetics linker systems are designed to be stable in the bloodstream and release the potent cell-killing agent once inside targeted cancer cells. This approach is intended to spare non-targeted cells and thus reduce many of the toxic effects of traditional chemotherapy while enhancing antitumor activity. ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is the first drug approved utilizing Seattle Genetics ADC technology.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval of ADCETRIS in August 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage ADC programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Agensys (an affiliate of Astellas), Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys and Genmab. Across Seattle Genetics internal and collaborator programs, there are more than 15 ADCs in clinical development utilizing the companys technology. More information can be found at http://www.seattlegenetics.com.

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to the therapeutic potential and future clinical progress, regulatory approval and commercial launch of products utilizing Seattle Genetics ADC technology. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks related to adverse clinical results as our product candidates or our collaborators product candidates move into and advance in clinical trials, risks inherent in early stage development and failure by Seattle Genetics to secure or maintain relationships with collaborators. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained in the Companys quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502), and Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) today announced the initiation of an international phase 3 clinical trial evaluating ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) as part of a frontline combination chemotherapy regimen in patients with previously untreated advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the trial also received scientific advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a defining marker of classical HL.

Millennium is pleased to announce the initiation of the phase 3 trial of ADCETRIS in patients with previously untreated advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. This is a key step in our efforts to explore the potential of this targeted therapy as part of a frontline treatment regimen, said Karen Ferrante, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Millennium.The trial is part of our ongoing development program to explore patient populations that may benefit from treatment with ADCETRIS in earlier lines of therapy and in other CD30-expressing malignancies.

There have been no new therapies approved for patients with newly diagnosed HL in many decades, representing a significant need to identify additional treatment options in this setting, said Thomas C. Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Seattle Genetics. We believe through this novel ADCETRIS-containing regimen we have the potential to redefine the treatment of frontline HL. This trial is also an important part of our development plan for ADCETRIS, and may serve as confirmatory to our U.S. accelerated approval in relapsed HL and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Study Design

The randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial will investigate ADCETRIS+AVD1 versus ABVD2 as frontline therapy in patients with advanced classical HL. The primary endpoint is modified progression free survival (mPFS) per independent review facility assessment using the Revised Response Criteria for malignant lymphoma. Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), complete remission (CR) and safety. The multi-center trial will be conducted in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The study will enroll approximately 1,040 eligible patients (approximately 520 patients per treatment arm) who have histologically-confirmed diagnosis of Stage III or IV classical HL who have not been previously treated with systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

For more information, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2011 for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are based on response rate. There are no data available demonstrating improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival with ADCETRIS.

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Millennium and Seattle Genetics Initiate Global Phase 3 Clinical Trial of ADCETRIS® in Previously Untreated Advanced ...

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AMES, IA--(Marketwire - Oct 31, 2012) - NewLink Genetics Corporation ( NASDAQ : NLNK ), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics, today reported consolidated financial results for the third quarter of 2012. NewLink updated the status of its clinical development programs including its HyperAcute Pancreas Immunotherapy Phase 3 trial (Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Resectable cancer Survival Study or "IMPRESS").

"As we approach the trigger event for the first interim analysis in our IMPRESS pivotal study, we have continued to execute our plan within the financial guidance we provided at the beginning of this year," commented Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink.

"In addition to our IMPRESS pivotal study for resected pancreatic patients, we have initiated a separate Phase 3 study for patients with locally advanced disease," said Dr. Nicholas Vahanian, NewLink's President and Chief Medical Officer. "If approved this new indication potentially doubles the number of patients who could be treated with algenpantucel-L. We are also expanding our HyperAcute immunotherapy platform by opening a major Phase 2B/3 study in non-small cell lung cancer."

The third quarter 2012 Financial Results

Financial Guidance

NewLink expects to end 2012 with $20 million to $23 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Significant recent events:

Upcoming Activities

NewLink expects to present at the following investor conferences:

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

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NewLink Genetics Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results

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BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) today announced that its collaborator, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, announced that the European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin). ADCETRIS was approved for two indications: (1) the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and (2) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). As a result, under the collaboration Seattle Genetics will receive two milestone payments from Millennium, one for each indication, totaling $25 million. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30.

The approval of ADCETRIS by the European Commission marks a significant milestone for the product and for the many relapsed or refractory HL and systemic ALCL patients in need of effective new treatment options in Europe, said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. In addition to the U.S. and EU approvals of ADCETRIS, we are making regulatory progress for approval in Canada while Millennium and Takeda are pursuing regulatory approvals in other countries. Complementing these regulatory activities is a robust ADCETRIS clinical development program to support our goal of establishing it as the foundation of therapy for CD30-positive malignancies.

The conditional marketing authorization for ADCETRIS is valid in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) as well as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Similar to accelerated approval regulations inthe United States, conditional marketing authorizations are granted in the EU to medicinal products that fulfill an unmet medical need with a positive benefit/risk assessmentand whose immediate availability would result in a significant public health benefit. Conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission includes obligations to provide additional clinical data at a later stage to confirm the positive benefit-risk assessment. The ADCETRIS Marketing Authorization Application was filed by Takeda Global Research & Development Centre (Europe) to the European Medicines Agency.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2011 for relapsed HL and sALCL.

Seattle Genetics and Millennium are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and the Takeda Group has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and the Takeda Group are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where the Takeda Group will be solely responsible for development costs. Seattle Genetics is entitled to royalties based on a percentage of Millennium's net sales in its territory at rates that range from the mid-teens to the mid-twenties based on sales volume, subject to offsets for royalties paid by Millennium to third parties.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The FDA granted accelerated approval of ADCETRIS in August 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage ADC programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys, an affiliate of Astellas, and Genmab. More information can be found at http://www.seattlegenetics.com.

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Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® Receives European Commission Conditional Marketing Authorization

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Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov explains his gene therapy method to prevent several childhood diseases
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Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov explains his gene therapy method to prevent several childhood diseases - Video

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