Alliances & Partners
GeneNews™ has developed relationships with a number of organizations in order to advance its various development programs. The Company will continue to seek new relationships in the future that will enhance its ability to execute its business plan.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America’s leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a not-forprofit, group practice prepayment program with headquarters in Oakland, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 8.3 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Today it encompasses the not-for-profit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the Permanente Medical Groups.
On April 27, 2006, GeneNews announced a collaboration with Kaiser Permanente of Northern California to conduct a prospective clinical study to evaluate and optimize GeneNews’ ColonSentry™ blood-based colon cancer test. The study will compare the results of the ColonSentry test to colonoscopy findings in a study group of 600 patients from at risk and confirmed cancer populations. The results of the study will be used to advance the development of the ColonSentry test, provide additional supporting pre-clinical data and allow Kaiser Permanent to evaluate the test in a patient population.
For further information on Kaiser Permanente visit: www.kaiserpermanente.org
University of California, San Francisco
UCSF is one of three University of California campuses associated with the California Institute of Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) whose mandate is to foster relationships between its affiliated institutions and industry partners in order to facilitate the transfer of science and research into products, techniques, and knowledge that can improve human health.
In August 2005, GeneNews entered into an alliance with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The alliance provides a framework for GeneNews to enter into collaborations with UCSF scientific researchers and clinicians in applying the Sentinel Principle™ to new diagnostic and therapeutic uses in a range of diseases. The terms of the alliance will simplify and accelerate the execution of individual collaborations with specific investigators. In addition, the alliance framework details the intellectual property (IP) rights of new inventions stemming from any collaboration. GeneNews will either own any IP solely or jointly, or in cases where the invention was solely developed by UCSF researchers, will have an option for an exclusive license.For further information on UCSF visit: www.ucsf.edu
Pfizer
In December 2004, GeneNews entered into a 2-year US$7.35 million research collaboration with Pfizer Inc, the worlds largest pharmaceutical company. This is a continuation of an initial 2-year, US$4.7 million collaboration begun in October 2002 and successfully completed in October 2004. The current research program provides Pfizer with access to GeneNews' unique OA database of clinical and gene expression information to identify new drug targets for OA and new biomarkers for the early detection and staging of OA.
For further information on Pfizer visit: www.pfizer.com
Hospital Lam Wah Ee, Mount Miriam Hospital, and Island Hospital
GeneNews entered into clinical collaborations with three Malaysian hospitals, Hospital Lam Wah Ee, Mount Miriam Hospital, and Island Hospital. The hospitals will provide GeneNews with blood samples collected from consenting patients in a broad range of disease areas, with emphasis on cancer, our primary area of interest.
Hospital Lam Wah Ee, one of the best equipped hospitals in Malaysia, with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the treatment of a wide range of illnesses, is known for its commitment to a charitable concept of health care. Situated in Penang and staffed by dedicated specialist doctors, the hospital is currently undergoing expansion with the construction of a new facility. For further information on Lam Wah Ee Hospital visit: www.hlwe.com.my
Mount Miriam Hospital was established in 1976 by the Sisters of Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood and is a non-profit organization. Located in a serene setting, Mount Miriam is a 40 bed hospital for the treatment and continuing care of patients with cancer. For further information on Mount Miriam visit: www.mountmiriam.com
Island Hospital is a 250 bed private medical centre providing tertiary care for inpatients and outpatients in Penang and the Northern Region of Malaysia. The hospital offers a wide range of medical, surgical and emergency services. In addition to its’ modern technology and excellent facilities, Island Hospital is also known for its warmth, friendliness and compassion. For further information on Island Hospital visit: www.islandhospital.com
University Health Network
In August 2002, the University Health Network (UHN) and GeneNews entered into a collaborative agreement whereby GeneNews receives continued access to clinical data for the purposes of advancing research and development of diagnostic tools and therapies for the treatment of arthritis. In 2004, access was expanded to allow GeneNews to acquire clinical data for colorectal cancer and other disease areas. UHN consists of 3 teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto: Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital. UHN received an equity position in GeneNews. For further information on UHN visit: www.uhn.ca