Sirius Genomics Announces New Collaboration with Vanderbilt University

By Prne, Gaea News Network
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

VANCOUVER - Sirius Genomics, a developer of pharmacogenomic diagnostics, announced today that it has signed a collaborative agreement with Vanderbilt University to study patients enrolled in Vanderbilt’s Validating Acute Lung Injury biomarkers for Diagnosis (VALID) study. The agreement focuses on the continued development of Sirius’ pharmacogenomic diagnostic. The diagnostic is intended to assess responsiveness to recombinant human activated Protein C (sold by Eli Lilly and Company under the trademark Xigris (R)) in patients with severe sepsis at high risk of death.

“Vanderbilt’s involvement in the registration trial of activated Protein C makes Vanderbilt the perfect institution to continue further development of a genetic diagnostic for this drug,” commented Dr. Brad Popovich, President and CEO of Sirius Genomics. “We are thrilled to be working with such a credible research and medical institution.”

“Working with Sirius Genomics will move biomarker research in sepsis closer to the clinic and ultimately lead to improved patient care in the ICU. We are excited to be a part of this research effort,” stated Dr. Lorraine Ware, the Principal Investigator of VALID.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Vanderbilt University Department of Medicine:

medicine.mc.vanderbilt.edu

The Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University has over 585 faculty assigned to 12 traditional divisions and several interdisciplinary research centers. The faculty serves both patient care and biomedical discovery with unrestrained excellence. The Allergy, Pulmonary, & Critical Care Medicine Division within this department has a longstanding interest and scientific leadership in ARDS, sepsis, and Intensive Care Medicine, and has spearheaded many major clinical trials in ICU management. Active research programs in this area include cognitive outcomes in critical illness, ventilator management, biomarkers of lung injury, and nutrition in the ICU.

About Sirius Genomics: www.siriusgenomics.com

Sirius Genomics is a drug-enabling company that develops pharmacogenomic (PGx) diagnostics that lead to better patient outcomes through personalized medicine. Sirius generates value by improving the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical compounds. The Company correlates patient genetics with clinical outcomes, leading to proprietary and commercially viable PGx products that enable better drug treatment. The Company’s first product is a genetic predictor of response to treatment for sepsis, a severe blood infection.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are not based on historical fact. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

For further information: Dr. Brad Popovich, President and CEO, Sirius Genomics, +1-604-484-7195, bpopovich@siriusgenomics.com

Source: Sirius Genomics Inc.

For further information: Dr. Brad Popovich, President and CEO, Sirius Genomics, +1-604-484-7195, bpopovich at siriusgenomics.com

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