Metabolon Participates In Expanded ALS Study

Main Category: Muscular Dystrophy / ALS
Article Date: 20 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, announced today its continued participation in the ALS Association-sponsored study to identify biomarkers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease). The Company participated in the initial pilot study, resulting in the discovery of novel biomarkers indicative of ALS and covered by a recently issued patent (US Patent 7,005,255). The expanded study will increase study enrollment. Samples will be collected at 18 sites in the Translational Research Advancing Therapy for ALS (TREAT ALS)/Northeast ALS (NEALS) Clinical Trials Network. The Network is a partnership between The ALS Association and NEALS clinical research centers throughout the country, devoted to expanding clinical trials to treat the disease.

"A key unmet need in ALS clinical trials is a biomarker of the disease and its response to treatment," according to Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D., Science Director and Vice President of The Association.

"We are excited about the continued funding of this project," says John Ryals, Ph.D, President and CEO of Metabolon. "Using our metabolomics platform, our initial studies discovered novel biomarkers potentially useful for diagnosing ALS. By expanding this study, we will be able to refine and validate those biomarkers, bringing us even closer to a clinical diagnostic."

"Increasing the number of samples will accelerate our product development efforts in this area," noted Mike Milburn, Metabolon's Chief Scientific Officer. "We hope to make significant progress toward a clinical diagnostic over the next 12 months."

About Metabolon

Metabolon is a high-value diagnostic and services company using the industry's best biochemical profiling technology platform. Metabolon's patented platform provides a global, comprehensive analysis of biological samples for the discovery of biochemical biomarkers. This metabolomics-based approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics (prognostics, theranostics, companion diagnostics). In addition, Metabolon's services provide biochemical markers and information for understanding complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology, and bioprocess monitoring.

http://www.metabolon.com