National Genecular Institute Presents Roadmap for Largest Global Biobank at 2nd Annual Personalized Medicine Meeting.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The National Genecular Institute (NGI) today announced Dr. Tannin Fuja, director of research and chief scientific officer, will address how a new, global biobank can advance development of customized medicine for skin cancers and related conditions, while enabling research into major known diseases through a unique global biomedical research protocol that ensures a diverse supply of cellular material. Dr. Fuja will be joined by NGI CEO Matt Nicosia at the 2nd Annual Personalized Medicine Meeting. Dr. Fuja will be speaking about the value of the biobank and customized therapies in preventative medicine.

"The future of customized medicine can only be realized if an inexhaustible source of genetic material can be established and properly banked," said Matt Nicosia, CEO and co-founder of NGI. "Our patent-pending process and methods have made it possible for such a project to be funded and backed by both private and public parties."

Dr. Fuja's presentation will be delivered on November 14 at the conference's panel discussion, "Alternative Approaches in Preventative Medicine." The discussion is being held at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Fuja is also hosting the "Conversation with Experts Luncheon" at 12 p.m.

"Biobanking remains the most efficient and effective means to helping researchers move closer to the development of customized medicines for complex, rare and often mistreated diseases," said Dr. Fuja. "However, many challenges and responsibilities remain paramount for both private and publicly-funded organizations that must factor in privacy laws, funding concerns and other ethical considerations before a truly successful biobank model can be realized. NGI is continuing to make those advances necessary to overcome these challenges."

In conjunction with the University of Iowa, NGI is developing the world's largest global biobank facility at a 88,000 sq. ft. research corridor in Iowa where, hundreds of thousands of tissue and DNA samples will be collected, cultivated, stored and sold to third-party researchers for studies into diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, certain cancers and MS. In addition, NGI has begun work on its own 20,000 square foot biobank in a separate facility being constructed in Iowa City, Iowa.

This facility is planned to be the largest in the world and third of its kind, but is unique from predecessors through the global collection of donor samples in an effort to provide the most diverse pool of DNA/tissue, with clinical data that will be updated on a regular and continual basis that in turn affords broader research possibilities and new discoveries.

2(nd) Annual Burrill Personalized Medicine Meeting

Burrill & Company hosts an expanded two-day event, which will encompass detailed discussions on the whole spectrum of personalized medicine - from prediction to prevention - that will provide attendees with a detailed "window" into the emerging personalized medicine world. This meeting brings together the thought leaders in science and health care, along with government officials and politicos representing the payers and regulators, as well as the financial community and pharma and biotech CEOs, to discuss how personalized medicine will impact the future of healthcare.

National Genecular Institute

The National Genecular Institute, Inc. (NGI), is a subsidiary of Dermacia, Inc., the manufacturer and innovator of skin care products, anti-aging cosmeceuticals and topical pharmaceuticals. NGI is advancing the future of customized medicine in areas such as skin diseases and conditions through a global biomedical research protocol that identifies the human genetic factors causing a given disease or condition, as well as the subsequent development of targeted products and therapeutics.