Clinical Data, Inc. and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Form Research Collaboration to Study Role of FCGR3A Gene Variants for Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Breast Cancer Treatment
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- Program to Validate Genetic Variants and Discover New Genetic Associations Impacting Trastuzumab Response - NEWTON, Mass.--(Business Wire)-- PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA), today announced that it has established a research collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DCFI) to validate the use of geneticvariants in Fc gamma receptors (FCGRs), including FCGR3A, in predicting response to trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy in patients with breast cancer. The research, directed by Karen S. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. at Dana-Farber, complements other studies underway to further demonstrate the contribution of genetic variants in the FCGR family to monoclonal antibody (mAb) response in cancer treatment. Importantly, the collaboration includes a large-scale effort to discover new genetic variants influencing response to Herceptin that may also predict response to other mAbs of the IgG1 class. The collaboration expands PGxHealth`s FCGR program, which includes its PGxPredict®:RITUXIMAB test for a gene variant used to determine response to rituximab monotherapy in follicular non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma. Fc gamma receptors are antibody receptors found on immune-regulatory white blood cells, such as T-cells. PGxHealth scientists will collaborate with Dr. Anderson and her colleagues to analyze certain genetic variants in breast cancer patients enrolled in two independent studies and receiving Herceptin along with other drugs in the neoadjuvant setting (before primary treatment), or in the setting of metastatic disease. Researchers will evaluate FCGR genotypes and their association with pathological and clinical response to Herceptin therapy. Preliminary data from the studies is anticipated by the end of 2009. "We are very excited to be working with Dr. Anderson and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a premier institution known for its ground-breaking cancer research, to expand the potential clinical utility of testing for Fc gamma receptor variants in oncology," said Marcia Lewis, Vice President, Biomarker Development at PGxHealth. "This collaboration will enable us to expand our knowledge of the role of FCGR and other inherited genetic variants of immune response as they impact the use of monoclonal antibody therapies in cancer. In the future, it may be possible to combine testing for inherited genetic factors with tumor markers, such as HER-2/neu, KRAS and others, to develop diagnostic tests that will be highly predictive of individual response to cancer therapies." The role of genetic variation in FCGR3A continues to gain attention among researchers and clinicians. The impact of FCGR3A and other genes in the FCGR gene family for optimizing treatment of lymphomas, breast, and colorectal cancers with rituximab, trastuzumab, cetuximab and other recombinant mAbs was the focus of the MAb IMPACT meeting of oncology experts, held in November 2008 in Tours, France. FCGR3A, a gene that encodes an Fc gamma receptor, binds both natural and therapeutic IgG1 antibodies. The FCGR3A receptor transmits signals from the membrane into the cell via tyrosine kinase activity. This signaling pathway is important in regulating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a mechanism that is important to the efficacy of many mAb therapies. Recent studies have suggested that genotyping FGCR3A and other Fc gamma receptors may be important in predicting response to cetuximab in colorectal cancer and to trastuzumab in breast cancer1,2. Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the U.S., with over 180,000 new cases diagnosed annually3. Treatment recommendations for breast cancer patients include various combinations of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and biologic therapy with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. However, even with optimal therapy, a significant number of women develop recurrent disease, highlighting the need for new and more effective therapeutic approaches4. About PGxPredict®:RITUXIMAB Test PGxHealth`s PGxPredict:RITUXIMAB test detects a single nucleotide polymorphism in FCGR3A that has been found to independently predict the response of patients with follicular non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma to treatment with rituximab monotherapy. For more information, please contact 877-2-PGxHealth (877-274-9432) or visit www.pgxhealth.com. About PGxHealth PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc., is utilizing its biomarker expertise and intellectual property to develop and commercialize targeted therapeutics as well as genetic and pharmacogenomic tests that detect serious diseases and help to predict drug safety and efficacy. By using innovative technologies and working with some of the world`s most prestigious genomics thought leaders and institutions, PGxHealth is focused on improving clinical outcomes and reducing treatment costs in disease states and therapeutic classes with expensive, inefficient or suboptimal treatment options. Among its tests are the FAMILION® and the PGxPredict® brands. Please visit the website at www.pgxhealth.com. About Clinical Data, Inc. Clinical Data is a global biotechnology company unlocking the potential of genomic discovery, From Targeted Science to Better Healthcare®. The Company is utilizing its biomarker expertise and intellectual property to develop and commercialize targeted therapeutics, as well as genetic and pharmacogenomic tests to detect serious diseases and help predict drug safety, tolerability, and efficacy, thereby improving health while reducing costs. Clinical Data is leveraging advances in molecular discovery to provide tangible benefits for patients, healthcare professionals and payors worldwide. To learn more, please visit the Company's website at www.clda.com. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 This press release contains certain forward-looking information and statements that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as "expect(s)", "feel(s)", "believe(s)", "will", "may", "anticipate(s)" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our ability to successfully integrate the operations, business, technology and intellectual property obtained in our acquisitions; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for, and successfully introduce our new products; our ability to expand our long-term business opportunities; financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; and statements regarding future performance. All of such information and statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, the effects of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, whether our PGxPredict® tests, including but not limited to FAMILION, will gain wide acceptance in the market; the extent to which genetic markers are predictive of clinical outcomes and drug efficacy and safety; the strength of our intellectual property rights; competition from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics companies; the development of and our ability to take advantage of the market for pharmacogenetic and biomarker products and services; whether Clinical Data will be able to develop or acquire additional products and attract new business and strategic partners; and those risks identified and discussed by Clinical Data in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Clinical Data does not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in Clinical Data's SEC periodic and interim reports, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed from time to time by the Company. 1 Zhang W et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2007 Aug 20;25(24):3712-8. 2 Musolino A et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2008 Apr 10;26(11):1789-96. 3 National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast 4 Dahabreh IJ et al. The Oncologist. (2008) 13:620-630. Herceptin is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc. Clinical Data, Inc. Theresa McNeely Vice President Corporate Communications 617-527-9933 x3373 or General Business Inquiries 617-527-9933 x3388 Copyright Business Wire 2009
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