Despite Progress, Tools and Platforms for Biomarker Discovery Face Numerous Challenges

New Research from Applied Data Analyzes Technical and Performance Factors for Biomarker Discovery

[ClickPress, Thu Jan 04 2007] Biomarkers represent one of the most anticipated healthcare concepts since the monoclonal antibody. Anticipated applications for biomarkers include drug discovery and lead optimization, pre-clinical and clinical development, patient diagnostics, toxicity testing, targeted therapeutics, and treatment tracking and prognostics.

But before this potential can be fully realized, numerous challenges remain to be solved. Single biomarkers are no longer considered adequate for most anticipated applications – multiple protein panels are the new paradigm. Because of variations in sample complexity, the approach to biomarker discovery will continue to be highly dependent on the intended application, each with its own set of discovery challenges. While drug researchers may target nucleic acids or intracellular proteins, for cancer diagnostics circulating tumor cells or soluble immune factors are likely to be the objective.

Biomarker discovery is in itself just the first step in a process that must include validation and clinical verification. But as tools evolve, the ability to identify biomarker candidates will accelerate. Recent advances in tool integration, expression profiling and pattern recognition software are examples of this trend.

Despite strategic partnering among sector participants to combine and integrate functional capabilities, increasingly in a single branded platform, the discovery tools sector remains highly fragmented. This sector is quite fluid, as the recent deal between Bio-Rad and Ciphergen for Ciphergen’s proteomics instrument business demonstrates.

These findings are examined in a new and comprehensive report from Applied Data Research that analyzes Biomarker Discovery Tools & Platforms. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the sector today, and where it’s heading.

More information is available at www.applieddata.org .

About Applied Data

Applied Data Research is a drug therapeutics consulting firm focused on medical market strategies, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed business development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis.

Contact:

Greg Stone
Voice: 603-595-6225
Fax: 603-804-0466
www.applieddata.org
Source: Applied Data Research

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