GAMING

Biomira Inc. and Phenomenome Discoveries Inc. are pleased to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement whereby Phenomenome Discoveries will perform DISCOVAmetrics comprehensive metabolome analysis for the purposes of discovering markers for efficacy of cancer treatments. Metabolomics is the global analysis of small molecules, or metabolites, in biological samples. Phenomenome Discoveries works with pharmaceutical industry leaders to use comprehensive metabolomics technologies for the identification of biomarkers that increase the efficiency and decrease the cost of the drug development process. "We are excited about the synergies in this collaboration, which will allow us to validate previously discovered cancer biomarkers, while simultaneously providing Biomira with the ability to correlate metabolomic profiles of patients receiving therapeutic interventions with their clinical endpoints," said Shawn Ritchie, PhD, Senior Scientist in Oncology at Phenomenome. "From Biomira's perspective, metabolomics shows great potential for shortening clinical trial timelines and reducing the costs related to clinical trials," said Alex McPherson, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Biomira. It is important technology in the identification of cancer markers and this technology has the potential to become an integral piece in the design of future Biomira trials. For instance, it might one day give us the ability to screen patients for a marker that would indicate that they would respond to our therapy."