MORRISVILLE, N.C., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- PPGx, Inc., a leading global
provider of pharmacogenomic products and services, has launched a yearlong,
renewable partnership with the Bioinformatics Research Center at North
Carolina State University (N.C. State). Collaboratively, researchers from
PPGx and the N.C. State Bioinformatics Research Center will develop and
implement statistical methodologies to speed and enhance the analysis and
interpretation of pharmacogenomic data.
"PPGx has a long-standing commitment to achieve the most detailed
understanding of genomic information possible and turn it into usable science
for drug developers, healthcare professionals and, ultimately, patients," said
PPGx President and CEO Josh Baker, Ph.D. "This collaboration with the
Bioinformatics Research Center is an important step in our efforts to develop
the highest quality bioinformatics tools and services that help researchers
analyze the exploding quantity of genomic data more effectively than ever
before."
Pharmacogenomics is the science of using genetic information to predict
the safety, toxicity and/or efficacy of drugs in individual patients or groups
of patients. With the fields of pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics moving at
such a rapid pace, researchers at both PPGx and the N.C. State Bioinformatics
Research Center believe it is essential to ensure that research is being
designed and conducted to the highest, most reliable and most useful
standards.
"The Bioinformatics Research Center at North Carolina State University is
recognized as one of the premier research and graduate programs of its type in
the country," continued Baker. "The synergy of combining their research
abilities with our bioinformatics expertise and understanding of
pharmacogenomics makes this an ideal partnership that will benefit PPGx and
our clients for years to come."
"We are delighted to expand our research operations with leading private-
sector companies such as PPGx," said Bruce Weir, Ph.D., of the N.C. State
Bioinformatics Research Center. "This partnership -- the second of its kind
for us -- puts our researchers in daily contact with PPGx scientists so that
we can jointly test research methods and study genomic data. The process
allows us to share our resources and expertise while providing our graduate
students hands-on experience with a leading pharmacogenomics company. It's
the best of both worlds."
Weir noted that one of the first collaborative tasks would be to
characterize the inherent variation in readings from micro-arrays -- one of
the principal sources of information in pharmacogenomic research.
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 the NCSU Bioinformatics Research Center
The Bioinformatics Research Center (http://statgen.ncsu.edu ) was
established by the U.N.C. Board of Governors and is located in the Partners II
building on the N.C. State Centennial Campus, adjacent to the Genome Research
Laboratory, the Fungal Genomics Research Center and the Forest Biotechnology
Research Center.
SOURCE PPGx, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ppgx.com
CONTACT:
Roger Friedensen of Epley Associates,
919-877-0877, or friedensen@epley-ral.com , for PPGx, Inc.
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