Cambridge, UK, October 19th - Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine is pleased to announce an agreement with the newly-launched Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR) in Greenville, South Carolina to provide molecular diagnostic support services for new initiatives in drug development and advanced cancer patient care.
The new Institute, a part of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) is moving into the arena of personalised gene-targeted cancer therapies and focusing on bringing translational research from the lab to practical application in patients.
Lab21, a leading provider of personalised medicine services in Europe, recently launched its first venture in North America situating a new clinical reference laboratory and US Headquarters in Greenville.
Lab21 focuses on the global provision of molecular testing services particularly in the oncology and antiviral areas for both patient management and clinical trials. In addition, it has a diagnostics products business and is building a pipeline of proprietary pharmacogenetic and biomarker products which it plans to launch globally from 2011 onwards.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO at Lab21 commented: ‘The close relationship with ITOR will be an enormous asset for Lab21. Not only will it allow us to provide state-of-the-art support for ITOR clinical studies but it will give us first-hand daily interaction with cancer physicians which will stimulate early identification and development of new biomarker panels.’
Graham Mullis, Lab21 CEO added ‘The potential relationship with ITOR and GHS was one of the leading reasons why we decide to site our US operation within South Carolina. We have been hugely impressed by the skills and dedication of the ITOR team but, equally importantly, we were delighted that we both a shared vision on the future of stratified medicine and could all see the benefits of our relationship towards the optimised treatment of cancer patients and introduction of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.’
Dr Joe Stephenson, ITOR Medical Director, commented ‘Having Lab21 situated on our doorstep is a significant advantage for ITOR giving us immediate access to a growing portfolio of diagnostic services. Also, the shared vision of the partners will allow us to significantly influence the types of diagnostic panels that Lab21 introduces and develops, enabling us to provide the highest standards of care for our cancer patients.’
For further information:
Lab21 Graham Mullis, CEO Michael Bolick, President, Lab21 Inc Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSDO t: +44 (0)1223 395461 e: graham.mullis@lab-21.com michael.bolick@lab21.com berwyn.clarke@lab21.com
For media and investor enquiries: College Hill Tony Stephenson/Gemma Howe/Nicole Yost t: +44 (0)20 7866 7864 m: +44 (0)7989 855113 e: lab21@collegehill.com
About Lab21
Lab21 is a global provider of state-of-the-art diagnostic products and services, supporting blood bank screening, medical diagnostics and drug discovery. Its customers include international healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
The product division of the Company manufactures immunodiagnostic kits and reagents that are distributed into 110 international countries and is focused on infectious diseases for the blood-banking market.
The service division has a growing test portfolio providing companion diagnostics and high technology molecular assays for the growing integration of personalised medicine into healthcare. These services are currently in infectious diseases, oncology and pharmacogenetics areas with emerging interests in cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Lab21’s clinical reference laboratory and corporate office is based in Cambridge and has additional UK sites in Newmarket, Bridport, Liverpool and Ipswich. It also has operations in South Carolina, USA. The Company’s investors include Merlin Biosciences, Nexus Medical Partners, Medicis Capital, Rowan Dartington and Kreos Capital. Website: www.lab21.com
About ITOR
For more information about ITOR, go to www.ITOR-ghs.org
