Rhode Island Innovation Award of $50,000 Granted to Lifespan Cancer Institute and Medley Genomics
Medley Genomics Partners with Lifespan to bring clinicians new ways to identify novel, personalized cancer treatments through advanced analytics able to translate diversity of tumor genomes
PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Gina Raimondo recently announced several Innovation Vouchers awarded to Rhode Island-based companies, among them a partnership applying a new data platform to identify and guide novel treatments for cancer. Medley Genomics of Providence has partnered with Lifespan Cancer Institute to advance clinical application of a new analytical approach to define "genomic heterogeneity" - the complex biological underpinnings of a patients' tumor. This provides cancer researchers a genomic 'map' to enable them to better identify potential cellular targets for novel therapies that would further improve a patient's personalized treatment with the goal of managing their cancer throughout their lifetime. Thus, by identifying the diverse cellular composition within the tumor and pinpointing their corresponding molecular changes, and offering the opportunity to tailor therapy selection, the platform enables a degree of precise indications that aim to transform treatment practices to resemble that of chronic diseases.
Medley Genomics in partnership with Lifespan's Molecular Pathology Laboratories will test the innovative software, describing the complex evolution of tumor cell development, developed by Ben Raphael while at Brown University and exclusively licensed to Medley Genomics, in the clinical setting. This involves analyzing genomic data derived from patient tumors to assess cancer development and progression along with corresponding clinical information. The award, from RI Commerce Corporation to Rhode Island Hospital, includes $50,000 to finance acquisition and analysis of genomic data from primary and metastatic cancers for validation and publication. Medley Genomics will provide in-kind support for the program. "Our Governor and RI Commerce's commitment to supporting new companies is essential as we grow the Life Science ecosystem in Rhode Island. We are privileged to work with Lifespan physicians," states Patrice Milos, Chief Executive, Medley Genomics.
The Medley Genomics platform can provide similar value to other disease areas, this initial focus on cancer allows multiple benefits to be realized given the magnitude of challenges faced by clinicians and researchers today. This includes the identification of new biological pathways involved in cancer to the strong need to deliver combination therapies through more informed knowledge of the underlying biological mechanisms which can be targeted with such therapies. "This is exactly the kind of initiative that guarantees that the personalized cancer care our patients receive at Lifespan is at the very leading edge of care available anywhere in the world," said Dr. David Wazer, Director of the Lifespan Cancer Institute.
Lifespan Cancer Institute: Lifespan Cancer Institute provides the most current cancer diagnosis and treatment options available anywhere in the world for patients throughout Rhode Island and southern New England.
Medley Genomics: Medley Genomics, focused in personalized medicine, uses advanced analytical methods to define the complex genomic heterogeneity found in many human diseases.
Sources:
http://www.ri.gov/press/view/29971
https://www.lifespan.org/centers-services/lifespan-cancer-institute
http://commerceri.com/news/
http://medleygenomics.com/
Contacts:
Patrice M. Milos, Ph.D.
617-259-0565
[email protected]
SOURCE Medley Genomics
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