ACADEMIA

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium announced today that First Genetic Trust (FGT) has been selected as its technology partner to provide a comprehensive information technology infrastructure for managing its tissue and data banking needs. The system will be used to manage collaborative myeloma research programs across four leading academic medical research institutions that make up the MMRC's Member Institutions ( http://www.themmrc.org/model_member.html ) and associated research partners. FGT will deploy and host its web-based enTRUST(R) Genetic Banking system to enable the MMRC to create a central repository of well-phenotyped myeloma tissue and relevant biologic samples contributed by Member Institutions. The system will integrate laboratory and clinical trial data, track the status of participant enrollment in MMRC studies, monitor compliance with study protocols, and enable rapid exchange of data among MMRC researchers and multiple research laboratories while protecting the security and confidentiality of patient information. "The MMRC's centralized Tissue and Data Banks are the heart of its uniquely integrated research model," said Kathy Giusti, Founder and President of the MMRC. "FGT's enTRUST(R) applications will enable us to collect and manage the critical mass of high quality samples and supporting data needed to meet our goal of accelerating research and drug development in multiple myeloma." Arthur Holden, Chief Executive Officer of FGT, said, "Today's announcement is an important step in advancing the application of state-of-the-art information technology to support multi-center translational genomic research and development activities. We are proud to be working with an innovative, leading-edge organization like the MMRC to accelerate the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies."