Biotechnology Visionaries Champion and Challenge Proteomics-based Drug Discovery; Panelists Agree, Proteomics Fuels Pharmaceuticals, IT and Better Medicine.Business Editors & Medical/Health Writers TORONTO--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 8, 2001 Experts representing the fields of biotechnology, financial services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , information technology, science and medicine gathered to explore the early successes and ongoing challenges in proteomics-based drug discovery. A blue ribbon blue ribbon denotes highest honor. [Western Folklore: Brewer Dictionary, 127] See : Prize panel moderated by Dr. Eric Lander Eric Steven Lander (b. February 3, 1957) is a Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a member of the Whitehead Institute, and director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard who has devoted his career toward realizing the promise of the human , Director, Whitehead Centre Genomics Research, explored immediate and long-term effects proteomics will have on drug development and the medical industry. The panel hosted by MDS MDS, n See temporomandibular pain-dysfunction syndrome. MDS 1 Maternal deprivation syndrome, see there 2 Myelodysplastic syndrome, see there Proteomics, a leading proteomics-based drug discovery company, was held in conjunction with the opening of its new global headquarters and fully operational large-scale proteomics research facility in Toronto. Panelists participating in the event included: Carol Kovac, general manager, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) Life Sciences; Frank Gleeson, president and chief executive officer, MDS Proteomics; Jessica Chutter, managing director and co-head of biotechnology, Morgan Stanley  To comply with Wikipedia's , the introduction of this article needs a complete rewrite. ; Anthony Pawson Anthony James Pawson, OC, O.Ont, CH, FRS, FRSC, Ph.D., (born October 18 1952) is a British-born Canadian microbiologist whose research has revolutionized the understanding of signal transduction, and the molecular mechanisms by which cells respond to external cues. , co-director Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto), Ontario, Canada was established in 1985 by an endowment from the Lunenfeld and Kunin families. It comprises 31 principal investigators, has a budget of C$90 million (2005/6), has 225 trainees and over 550 , Mount Sinai Hospital Mount Sinai Hospital can refer to:
Harvard College, originally for men, was founded in 1636 with a grant from the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. . The panel discussion was attended by an audience of private investors, pharmaceutical companies and researchers. A replay of the panel discussion is available by calling 800-558-5253, reservation No.: 19956818 (US), or 416-626-4100, reservation No.: 19956500 (Canada and international). "Proteomics is where the rubber meets the road -- it's much harder to detect proteins and more important to detect proteins than the mapping of the genome," said Lander. "What is going to be the driving force is understanding how proteins relate to cell biological pathways, and by no means can we do that without massive new investment in IT and data and without partnerships involving both the public and private sector." Following is a summary of highlights from today's panel discussion. Pharmaceutical Industry's Livelihood Depends On Proteomics and Patents Proteomics offers the pharmaceutical industry the research and development (R&D) resources necessary for its survival. "Last year, $30 billion was spent on R&D by the pharmaceutical companies -- only 30 drugs were approved," said Chutter. "Pharmaceutical companies are dependent on proteomics and like technologies to overhaul their entire drug development process, or they will not survive." IBM's Kovac added, "The pharmaceutical industry and the drug development process are founded on the ability to patent intellectual property. In many ways, this is because of the enormous investment it takes to get a new drug or treatment to the marketplace and the enormous risk associated with that investment. Intellectual property protection in this industry is absolutely paramount." Improvement in Diagnostics Diagnostics have experienced immediate improvements from advancements in proteomics. The ability to discriminate phenotypes of important, complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes will encourage diagnostic abilities and eventually, disease therapeutics. Biology is Driving Supercomputing Biology, and more specifically genomics and proteomics, are driving tremendous advancements in information technology. The success of proteomics demands the most powerful supercomputers, and research environments such as the newly opened MDS Proteomics facility, housing one of the most powerful computers in the world. Drug Discovery and Clinical Trials Will be Streamlined; Lower Costs and Improved Medicine Proteomics will streamline the drug development process by helping to eliminate irrelevant drug targets and recognizing highly effective targets. Understanding the function of proteins combined with the predictive models used in proteomics will ultimately reduce the dollars spent on R&D and clinical trials. "Proteomics will lead directly to choosing better targets for drug intervention," said Gleeson. "It can lead to drugs being stopped before they get into the clinic, and it can allow us to design different types of molecules without the side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. of the drugs we currently take today." Understanding the Complexity of Proteomics is Essential Proteomics is likely to speed drug development and improve patient treatment, however the timing of proteomics' promise is unclear due to its complexity. The analysis of proteins in the cell is highly intricate and complex, more than any other endeavor taken on by science to date, ultimately resulting in personalized treatment of individuals. Successful Companies Require Technology, Drug Discovery and Partnerships Chutter recognized three components necessary to succeed in the emerging proteomics field including, (1) broad based technology platforms; (2) focus on drug discovery; and, (3) validating partnerships. Companies that possess such components, including MDS Proteomics and Millenium Pharmaceuticals, will lead the proteomics field. "The rapidly expanding and promising market of proteomics is demanding the most advanced IT in the world and is driving supercomputing to breakthrough heights," said Kovac. "We project that in 2004, the IT market in life sciences including pharmaceutical discovery, proteomics and diagnostics will be more than $40 billion." The panel discussion followed yesterday's official opening of MDS Proteomics' global headquarters and research facility in Toronto, Canada. This new research laboratory complements the established facilities in Odense (Denmark), Boston and Charlottesville, providing greater analytical capability in determining the function of hundreds of genes and thousands of proteins monthly. MDS Proteomics utilizes this information to rapidly select and functionally validate targets in a high-throughput fashion, and then utilizes computer-aided tools to design novel, small molecule drugs. The facility has the capacity for continued expansion and is routinely operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Honorable Brian Tobin Brian Vincent Tobin, PC (born October 21, 1954) is a Canadian politician. Tobin was born in in Stephenville, Newfoundland. He studied political science at Memorial University in St. John's. , Minister of Industry, gathered at the Toronto facility's ribbon cutting ceremony A ribbon cutting ceremony is a public ceremony conducted to inaugurate the opening to the general public of a new building or business. Often, it is conducted in just the manner the name suggests: by tying a ceremonial ribbon across the main entrance of the building, which yesterday. "The events of the past two days further substantiate MDS Proteomics' leadership in proteomics-based drug discovery and the issues that surround it," said Gleeson. "Through the combination of our technology platform, strategic partnerships, clinical orientation and drug design capabilities, MDS Proteomics is revolutionizing the discovery and development of new medicines." For transcripts of the event, please contact Josh Aroner of FitzGerald Communications at 415-677-0270. About MDS Proteomics A pioneer in the field of proteomic-enabled drug discovery, MDS Proteomics' goal is to transform the productivity of the pharmaceutical industry in discovering and developing new medicines for the treatment of disease. The company has developed exceptional capabilities in proteomics systems, technology, supercomputing, drug design, screening and biology and is uniquely positioned to build an effective bridge between gene discovery and therapeutic development. This distinctive capability is being used in collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as for the development of the company's own product pipeline. In its proteomics facilities in Europe and North America, the company focuses on drug target discovery and validation for both antibody and small molecule therapeutics. MDS Proteomics is a majority-owned subsidiary majority-owned subsidiary A firm in which more than 50% of outstanding voting stock is owned by the parent company. of MDS Inc. For more information on MDS Proteomics, visit the company's website at http://www.mdsproteomics.com. About MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : MDZ MDZ Mendez MDZ Moskauer Deutsche Zeitung (Moscow German newspaper) MDZ Maritime Defense Zone MDZ Musik Der Zukunft (music label & community) MDZ Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina - El Plumerillo ; TSE See Tokyo Stock Exchange. TSE 1. See Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). 2. See Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE). : MDS) is an international health and life sciences company. Its products and services include: laboratory testing, imaging agents for nuclear medicine testing, sterilization sterilization Any surgical procedure intended to end fertility permanently (see contraception). Such operations remove or interrupt the anatomical pathways through which the cells involved in fertilization travel (see reproductive system). systems for medical and consumer products, research and clinical development services for planning and delivery of cancer treatment, analytical instruments to assist in the development of new drugs, and medical/surgical supplies. MDS employs more than 10,000 highly skilled people at its global operations on four continents. Detailed information about the company is available at the MDS Web site at www.mdsintl.com. |
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