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Biotech / Medical : AXYS Pharmaceuticals Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: bob zagorin who wrote (362)	12/15/1999 8:41:00 AM
From: Tiger	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 455

PPGx Launches GeneTrials(TM) LIMS Version 1.0; Introduces First Laboratory Information System to Support High-Throughput Clinical Genotyping in a GLP Environment MORRISVILLE, N.C., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- PPGx, Inc., a leading global provider of pharmacogenomic products and services, today announced the release of GeneTrials LIMS Version 1.0. GeneTrials LIMS is a highly optimized laboratory information system (LIMS) used to manage and automate laboratory operations for high-throughput clinical genotyping in a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) environment in support of pharmacogenomic studies in clinical drug research. Pharmacogenomics is the science of using genetic information to predict the safety, toxicity and/or efficacy of drugs in individual patients or groups of patients. Clinical genotyping is the laboratory processes used to isolate DNA from clinical samples and detect the genetic variations that characterize the patient's drug metabolism, response and resistance. PPGx's proprietary GeneTrials LIMS software program (patent pending) is the culmination of an extensive two-year design and development effort. It is the first released component of the GeneTrials suite of sophisticated software products designed to capture, integrate and analyze pharmacogenomic data. ''The successful application of pharmacogenomic technologies is ultimately dependent on the accuracy in which data is collected,'' said Jerald H. Melnick, Vice President of Bioinformatics for PPGx. ''From conception through development, GeneTrials LIMS was designed to assure the correctness and integrity of genotype data collected from patient studies.'' According to Josh Baker, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of PPGx, ''we recognized early on that bioinformatics is a critical component of the total package of solutions for pharmacogenomic research programs. Our commitment to bioinformatics is substantial with fully one third of our staff dedicated to developing solutions for a wide variety of computational challenges in pharmacogenomics. As our first offering in this area, GeneTrials LIMS is particularly well positioned where the action starts -- at the data collection phase in the laboratory.'' GeneTrials LIMS employs a powerful client user-interface and robust relational database server to manage laboratory data. The system promotes and maintains standard laboratory operating procedures (SOPs) necessary for GLP operations. Through a unique facility utilizing customizable electronic checklists, the system is highly adaptable to different laboratory protocols for DNA extraction and genetic testing without program customization. The LIMS tracks samples through a wide variety of manual sample operations and provides interfaces to robotics instrumentation. A key design goal of GeneTrials LIMS is the support of Genome Banking(TM). Genome Banking is a process by which purified DNA is placed in long-term storage for later use in prospective and retrospective pharmacogenomic studies. System facilities are included to manage freezers and track sample location for efficient storage and retrieval. GeneTrials LIMS is available immediately through PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI - news), exclusive marketer for the comprehensive pharmacogenomic products and services from PPGx. Through collaborative and service relationships with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, PPGx provides technical and consulting expertise in the application of pharmacogenomics to optimize and accelerate drug discovery and development. Combining GLP/CLIA global laboratory services with genetic research technologies and a comprehensive informatics platform, PPGx provides genotyping, genome banking, assay development, polymorphism discovery, clinical trial design and analysis simulation technology and a comprehensive suite of proprietary GeneTrial software products and consulting services to support drug discovery and development. PPGx pharmacogenomic services and products are exclusively marketed by PPD, Inc. under the brand name, Pharmacogenomic Solutions(TM). Editor's note: For more information about Pharmacogenomic Solutions products and services, please visit the web site at pgxsolutions.com SOURCE: PPGx, Inc.