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Pharmaceutical industry

Oncormed Partners with Merck to Provide Gene Testing Services for Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Compound

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Oncormed, a genomics services company, has signed an agreement with Merck & Co. to provide ras gene testing services for Phase I trials of an anti-cancer therapeutic compound. The ras gene, identified in rats over 15 years ago, is believed to play a significant role in up to 30% of human cancers, with mutations identified in half of all colon cancers, 90% of pancreatic cancers, and 25% of lung cancers. A defective ras gene allows cells to divide out of control, making it a critical target for cancer treatment. This partnership represents a significant step forward in Oncormed's strategy to provide gene characterization and pharmacogenomic services in support of drug discovery and development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oncormed has partnered with Merck & Co. to provide ras gene testing services for Phase I trials of an anti-cancer therapeutic compound.
  • The ras gene is believed to play a role in up to 30% of human cancers, with mutations identified in half of all colon cancers, 90% of pancreatic cancers, and 25% of lung cancers.
  • A defective ras gene allows cells to divide out of control, making it a critical target for cancer treatment.
  • Oncormed's laboratory will analyze samples for the Merck clinical trials, further validating Oncormed's strategy to provide gene characterization and pharmacogenomic services.
  • Timothy J. Triche, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oncormed, stated that the agreement represents further validation of Oncormed's strategy and mission to accelerate the translation of genetic discoveries into clinically-useful products and services.
  • Oncormed is a genomics services company that characterizes genes to establish their clinical relevancy and provides molecular profiling of patients for pharmacogenomic and therapeutic purposes.
  • Microsoft's annual report for 1997 and other SEC filings are available that outline the risks and uncertainties associated with Oncormed's forward-looking statements.

Statistics:

  • 30% of human cancers are believed to be related to the ras gene.
  • 50% of colon cancers have mutations in the ras gene.
  • 90% of pancreatic cancers have mutations in the ras gene.
  • 25% of lung cancers have mutations in the ras gene.
  • The partnership between Oncormed and Merck involves analyzing samples for Phase I trials of an anti-cancer therapeutic compound.

Sources:

  • Oncormed, Inc. (1998, May 13). Oncormed Signs Agreement with Merck to Provide ras Gene Testing Services for Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Compound. BW HealthWire.
  • Oncormed, Inc. (1997, December 31). Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1997 on Form 10-K. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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