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PPD to Discover Biomarkers for PDL BioPharma |
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03 May 2006 |
WILMINGTON, NC, USA | May 02, 2006 | PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) today announced it has signed an agreement by which it will perform comprehensive molecular profiling to discover biomarkers for PDL BioPharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for severe or life threatening illnesses.
Under the terms of the agreement, PPD's biomarker discovery sciences group will examine specified sample sets utilizing DeepLook™ analysis, its proprietary integrated platform for mass spectrometry-based discovery of biomarkers. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Identification and implementation of biomarkers can accelerate clinical trials by improving diagnosis, patient selection, and monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic response," said Howard Schulman, vice president of PPD's biomarker discovery sciences. "We look forward to working with PDL BioPharma to develop biomarkers for its clinical development programs."
Biomarkers are components of bodily fluids or tissues that are indicative of the presence of disease, its progression or the response to therapeutic intervention. PPD's technology enables the discovery and molecular identification of biomarkers that help biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in compound selection, dose optimization, patient stratification, and efficacy and safety monitoring.
PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 27 countries and more than 8,400 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help its clients and partners maximize returns on their R&D investments and accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics to patients. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.ppdi.com.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions, including expectations and assumptions about the above-stated biomarker agreement, contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although PPD attempts to be accurate in making those forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors which could cause results to differ materially include the following: economic conditions and outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries; dependence on collaborative relationships; rapid technological advances that make our products and services less competitive; loss of large contracts; competition within the outsourcing industry; continued success in sales growth; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with acquisitions and investments; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for PPD, copies of which are available free of charge upon request from the PPD investor relations department.
SOURCE: PPD, Inc |
