YONKERS, N.Y., June 9, 2008-Aureon Laboratories, Inc. today announced a collaborative research effort with Dr. Ignacio Wistuba, associate professor of pathology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The goal of the study will be to quantitate and evaluate biomarkers that are associated with progression of disease and overall survival. The project will apply Aureon’s systems pathology platform for the analysis of tissues from approximately 350 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Aureon’s systems pathology platform applies morphometric imaging to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens, enabling quantitation and integration of histological attributes and multiplexed protein biomarkers on a cell-by-cell basis. Additionally, Aureon has developed a multivariate algorithm that integrates histological, molecular, and clinical features to establish a comprehensive biometric signature associated with patient outcome. This approach allows for an analysis of histological and molecular information extracted from intact tissue specimens resulting in the identification of phenotypes associated with disease course.
Vijay Aggarwal, Ph.D., president and CEO of Aureon Laboratories said, “We are very excited about collaborating with M.D. Anderson. We have previously demonstrated the utility of Aureon’s systems pathology platform for the stratification of NSCLC patients treated with Iressa® and we look forward to further developing our work in this area. Aureon’s ability to integrate and quantify histological features and cell-type specific molecular biomarkers in intact paraffin-embedded tissue allows a better understanding of the biological context in terms of assessing therapeutic response.”
“We are excited about this collaboration with Aureon Laboratories on NSCLC biometric analysis. This collaboration complements our efforts of the molecular marker mapping using tissue microarrays. One of the key features of this study is the ability to use FFPE tissue specimens. We hope to generate useful information on the biometric signatures associated with NSCLC patient treatment outcome,” said Dr. Wistuba, the principal investigator of the study.
“This collaboration with Aureon complements our ongoing efforts in personalization of patient treatment based on proteomics using the reverse phase protein arrays, tissue microarrays, and working with FFPE samples,” said Dr. Gordon Mills, co-director of M. D. Anderson’s Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers.
“This collaboration with Aureon is one of the many industry collaborations being forged by the Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers to accomplish its mission of developing personalized medicine,” said Dr. Rahul Mitra, associate director of M. D. Anderson’s Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers.
Aureon technology is also being used to develop Prostate Px®Å, a prognostic, biopsy-based test which can assist men who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and need more accurate information to guide medical management of the disease. Prostate PxÅ was released in May 2008.
About Aureon Laboratories
Aureon Laboratories' mission is to enable personalized patient care through predictive pathology. Aureon has developed a high throughput systems pathology technology platform to predict individual clinical outcomes through the interrogation of tissue. The platform generates and analyzes an integrated, digital view of clinical findings, tissue micro-anatomy and tissue molecular pathology to determine which combination of features predicts specified individual clinical outcomes. Allied with major cancer centers, Aureon operates a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory that provides predictive pathology services to the practicing physician. For more information about Aureon, go to www.aureon.com or call 1-888-SYS-PATH.
NOTE: Prostate PxÅ and Px SCORE are registered trademarks of Aureon Laboratories, Inc.
Iressa is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.
SOURCE: Aureon Laboratories, Inc.
####
Contacts:
Aureon Laboratories Schwartz Communications
Jason Alter, Ph.D. Jon Siegal / Laura Coluci
914-377-4036 781-684-0770
Jason.Alter@Aureon.com aureon@schwartz-pr.com