KYOTO, Japan, and WILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FALCO biosystems Ltd. and PPD, Inc. today announced they have signed an agreement under which PPD's biomarker discovery sciences group will seek to discover and validate biomarkers that may lead to the development of a diagnostic test for renal cell carcinoma.
Under the terms of the agreement, PPD will apply its proprietary, integrated platform for proteomics, peptidomics and metabolomics to identify biomarkers for renal cell carcinoma using unique samples obtained from a clinical study designed to optimize discovery of useful biomarkers for renal cell carcinoma. PPD will own any intellectual property derived from these analyses, and FALCO will receive an exclusive license to use such intellectual property in specified countries. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Biomarkers are particular components of bodily fluids that are indicative of the progression or presence of disease. PPD's technology allows for the identification of biomarkers that may have a useful role in disease detection and in the evaluation of therapeutic response.
FALCO biosystems works to uncover the source of disease through clinical testing. The FALCO Group is involved in genetic testing, clinical research and trials, research and development in clinical biochemistry, medical information technology, food sanitation and environmental health testing, and dispensing pharmacies, as well as the business of clinical testing. For more information, see the company Web site at http://www.web.falco.co.jp/english/index.html.
PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing discovery and development services, market development expertise and compound partnering programs. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 28 countries and more than 7,800 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help its clients and partners maximize returns on their R&D investments and accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics to patients. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.ppdi.com.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions, including expectations and assumptions about the potential of the above-stated biomarker agreement, contained in this news release are forward- looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although PPD attempts to be accurate in making those forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors which could cause results to differ materially include the following: rapid technological advances that make our products and services less competitive; competition within the outsourcing industry; economic conditions and outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; dependence on collaborative relationships; risks associated with acquisitions and investments; loss of large contracts; continued success in sales growth; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for PPD, copies of which are available free of charge upon request from the PPD investor relations department.
Contact for FALCO biosystems Hiroshi Hasegawa General Manager Corporate Communications +81 75 257 8501 h-hasegawa@mail.falco.co.jp Contacts for PPD Media Nancy Zeleniak +919 462 4088 nancy.zeleniak@rtp.ppdi.com Analysts/Investors Steve Smith +910 772 7585 stephen.smith@wilm.ppdi.com
PPD, Inc.CONTACT: Hiroshi Hasegawa, General Manager, Corporate Communications ofFALCO biosystems, +81 75 257 8501, or h-hasegawa@mail.falco.co.jp; orMedia, Nancy Zeleniak, +1-919-462-4088, or nancy.zeleniak@rtp.ppdi.com, orAnalysts- Investors, Steve Smith, +1-910-772-7585, orstephen.smith@wilm.ppdi.com
