Gene Network Sciences Announces Cancer Research Collaboration With H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Gene Network Sciences (GNS) today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive cancer research collaboration with M2Gen, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute's (Moffitt) for-profit subsidiary. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement includes using Moffitt's clinical expertise with GNS's proprietary REFS(TM) (reverse engineering and forward simulation) software platform to develop next-generation cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. GNS will reverse engineer computer models directly from Moffitt's patient de-identified tumor molecular profiling data. By quantitatively simulating the models, the parties hope to develop a more detailed "systems level" understanding of the molecular biology of cancer. The models will be simulated to identify key genes causally driving cancer progression and the relationships between those genes and endpoints such as recurrence and survival.
"Our ultimate goal of advancing patient care demands the use of the most advanced technologies available to gain actionable insights from data," said Dr. Timothy Yeatman, associate center director for translational research and president of M2Gen. "GNS REFS(TM) provides a platform that has already been applied in commercial drug development to rapidly develop new and better treatments and assessment options for patients."
Moffitt will bring to bear its expertise in assessing the clinical viability of the potential diagnostics identified from the model simulations. The parties will then work together to validate the discoveries and will work with strategic partners to rapidly bring the diagnostics to market.
"GNS is excited to be working with one of the most forward-thinking cancer centers in utilizing cutting-edge data collection and computational methods together to greatly improve patient outcomes," said Colin Hill, CEO of GNS. "We have put into place a mutually beneficial economic structure in which both sides will share in the revenues from diagnostics generated during the collaboration."
About Gene Network Sciences
Founded in 2000, Gene Network Sciences (http://www.gnsbiotech.com/) is a leader in biosimulation with its ability to derive molecular mechanisms of drugs and diseases directly from molecular profiling and clinical data without any a priori knowledge. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Ithaca, New York, GNS uses its REFS(TM) (reverse engineering and forward simulation) technology in pharmaceutical and clinical settings to rapidly turn complex and heterogeneous data sets into cell and organ-level computer models of drug efficacy and drug safety. These models simulate the mechanisms of disease and clinical performance of drug candidates. By discovering how and why specific drug candidates impact human biology, GNS technology enables the rapid development of breakthrough drug and diagnostic products.
About H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida on the University of South Florida campus, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute (http://www.moffitt.org) is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Hospitals for cancer. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
Gene Network SciencesCONTACT: Thomas A. Neyarapally, Vice President, Corporate Strategy &Intellectual Property of Gene Network Sciences, +1-617-494-0492, ext. 238,fax, +1-617-494-0114, tneyarapally@gnsbiotech.com