London Genetics Conference Proceedings Published in Drug Discovery Today

LONDON, May 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- London Genetics Limited, an expert in the use of pharmacogenetics in clinical drug discovery and development, is pleased to announce that the importance of this approach is being highlighted with the publication of its inaugural conference [1] proceedings in the May 2010 issue of Drug Discovery Today. The conference, 'Harnessing Genetic Knowledge To Improve Clinical Development and Patient Care'[2], brought together pharma and biotech companies, academia and regulatory bodies to discuss the value that pharmacogenetics can bring to drug development.

Recognising that pharmacogenetics is a key part of the mission to get the right drug to the right patient at the right dose, delegates discussed how to integrate it more fully into drug development. Issues debated ranged from the role of pharmacogenetics in cost-effectiveness studies, possible changes in the way clinical trials are performed, and the need for sophisticated bioinformatics to capture and analyse data. One of the conclusions reached was that early collaboration between academia, industry, the regulatory authorities, and those that foot the healthcare bill was pivotal for capturing the maximum potential from pharmacogenetics.

Dominique Kleyn, CEO of London Genetics, said 'Drug Discovery Today is recognised as being at the cutting edge of new developments underlying R&D in the pharma and biotech industry. Publication of our article provides a strong validation of the potential of pharmacogenetics, and the importance of the issues raised at London Genetics' inaugural conference. We look forward to discussing progress in the field at our second pharmacogenetics conference, to be held in November 2010 in Windsor, UK.'

To access the Drug Discovery Today article, please go to http://bit.ly/bVrRpv, where it is available as a download.

[1] Editorial: Pharmacogenetics - pivotal to the future of the biopharmaceutical industry. Drug Discovery Today pp 325-327, Volume 15, Numbers 9/10, May 2010.

[2] 1st Annual London Genetics Pharmacogenetics Conference 'Harnessing Genetic Knowledge to Improve Clinical Development and Patient Care', 23rd -24th September 2009, Tylney Hall, Hampshire, UK.

Notes to Editors:

About London Genetics

London Genetics Limited, a not-for-profit company, is an expert in the use of pharmacogenetics in clinical drug discovery and development. Established in 2007 with funding from the London Development Agency, its seven founding partners are leading London academic and medical institutions with clinical and genetic expertise and significant patient resources. The company provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with access to this expertise and resource, as well as providing strategic advice on the application of pharmacogenetics for successful drug development. LGL has broad therapeutic expertise with a focus on cardiovascular disease and drug side-effects of a cardiovascular nature. Recent agreements developed by London Genetics include a collaboration between the International Serious Adverse Events Consortium, St George's University of London and the Drug Safety Research Unit at Southampton, UK. The parties are working on genetic markers for drug-induced cardiac arrhythmia. LGL is based in central London and has ISO 9001 accreditation. For further information, please go to http://www.londongenetics.com

About pharmacogenetics

Genetic differences between individuals mean that drug response rates are often variable across a population, and this has significant implications for healthcare cost effectiveness. Pharmocogenetics, the study of the clinical consequences of genetic differences in the way people metabolise and respond to drugs, is expected to generate better understanding of how drugs work in the body, and therefore give insight into how to develop more efficacious and safer drugs. It also has implications for product life cycle management and the revitalisation of drugs which previously failed in clinical trials. With drug development costs rising and R&D productivity falling, plus increased regulator focus on safety and cost-effectiveness, pharmacogenetics is expected to become increasingly important in drug development. The FDA and the EMA have recognised this in their Critical Path Initiative and Road Map respectively.

    For further information please contact:
    London Genetics Ltd
    Dominique Kleyn, CEO +44(0)207-594-1838
    Emma Palmer Foster, Strategic Communications Consultant
    +44(0)7880-787185
    [email protected]

SOURCE London Genetics Ltd