Agreement With Aventis Bio-Services Bolsters PPGx's Drug Research And
Development Program
MORRISVILLE, N.C., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PPGx, a leading international
provider of pharmacogenomics products and services, has gained access to one
of the world's largest collections of serum samples for use in the company's
research and development program.
Under an agreement announced today, Aventis Bio-Services, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Aventis Behring L.L.C., will provide PPGx access to thousands of
serum samples for use in PPGx's infectious disease and drug metabolism
research studies. As the world's largest fully integrated plasma collection
company, Aventis Bio-Services gathers serum samples from its extensive network
of plasma collections centers strategically located throughout the United
States.
"We believe that this agreement with Aventis Bio-Services is of tremendous
significance both for PPGx and healthcare professionals and their patients,"
said Josh Baker, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of PPGx.
"Information from these samples will help PPGx speed the identification of
differences in specific genes and expand our understanding of the relationship
between drug efficacy, safety and genetic variation in humans. Ultimately,
these differences can be linked to individual drug response so that healthcare
professionals can develop individualized treatments to optimize patient
outcomes."
"At Aventis Bio-Services, the mission of our clinical trials business unit
is to leverage our daily relationships with hundreds of thousands of
individuals nationwide to significantly accelerate clinical research," said
Edwin Harless, general manager of Aventis Bio-Services. "We are pleased to
work with PPGx to further the research and development of new therapies that
can improve and extend the lives of patients throughout the world."
Initially, PPGx will use the samples to complete validation studies on
several proprietary SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in genes discovered
at the company's research facility in La Jolla, California. SNPs are
responsible for variations in the genetic code of DNA. Testing the function
of these SNPs in patient and control populations provides valuable information
on the mechanisms of drug and disease genes in humans.
PPGx currently has more than 1,000 SNPs in candidate genes believed to be
involved in a wide range of diseases and drug responses. Once validated,
these SNPs will enable the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies PPGx
serves to develop drugs tailored to specific patient groups.
About PPGx
PPGx (http://www.ppgx.com ) provides technical and consulting expertise in the
application of pharmacogenomics to optimize and accelerate drug discovery and
development. Combining genetic research technologies from its computational
and research divisions, GLP/CLIA global laboratory services and a
comprehensive bioinformatics platform, PPGx provides pharmacogenomic solutions
for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. A joint venture formed in
February 1999 between PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) and Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Nasdaq: AXPH), PPGx is committed to the discovery of predictive genetic
markers for use in clinical trials to result in delivery of therapeutic and
life-saving medicines. PPGx pharmacogenomic services and products are
exclusively marketed by PPD, Inc.
About Aventis Bio-Services
Aventis Bio-Services, Inc., formerly Centeon Bio-Services, Inc., is the
world leader in the collection and processing of blood plasma. Aventis Bio-
Services has over 2,000 employees and operates 43 donor centers throughout the
U.S. and Europe, collecting approximately 2.5 million donations of blood
plasma annually. Aventis Bio-Services operates the only fully integrated,
computerized system for the collection and management of plasma, as well as
donor centers, serology and nucleic acid testing (NAT) laboratories, a
company-owned logistics center, and a fleet of sub-zero temperature controlled
trucks. Using this unique donor screening and tracking system, Aventis Bio-
Services works to ensure safety and quality for a pure plasma supply.
Aventis Behring L.L.C., formerly Centeon L.L.C., is a global leader in the
plasma protein industry, providing a wide range of innovative, high quality
therapies and unique support services to patients worldwide. Aventis Behring
is dedicated to the research and development of proteins from human blood
plasma and emerging technologies. For more information about Aventis Behring,
visit its website at http://www.AventisBehring.com . For more information about
Aventis Bio-Services' clinical trials' services, please contact Patrick Morand
at 847-291-4192.
SOURCE PPGx
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Related links:
http://www.ppgx.com
CONTACT:
Roger Friedensen, friedensen@epley-ral.com ,
or Kelly Rogers, rogers@epley-ral.com, 919-877-0877, for PPGx, or
Kim Cayz of Aventis Behring- Aventis Bio-Services, 610-878-4822,
or kim.cayz@aventis.com
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