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January 8, 2003
Morgantown, West Virginia – Protea Biosciences, Inc., West Virginia’s first Biotechnology company, announced today that it has entered into a contract to provide Proteomics Services to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The company will be applying its Proteomics technology to the identification of new protein "Biomarkers" present in the blood samples of Cancer patients.
"We are pleased to be collaborating with Novartis", commented Steve Turner, Protea’s President, "They are leaders in Cancer Research, and have a long history as innovators in the field. Working together, we will seek to identify new protein biomarkers, that will support the design of improved drug therapies for cancer patients."
Under terms of the contract, Protea scientists will use a new technology, known as "Solution-based ultrasensitive Mass Spectrometry", to analyze and identify proteins secreted by the individual cells of cancer patients. The collaboration is focused on identifying protein biomarkers present in human sera that will allow physicians to identify specific cancers earlier, predict their aggressiveness, and design new treatments.
Protea’s mission is to create a leading Proteomics business by developing and commercializing West Virginia University – based Proteomics technology and applying it to the discovery of new, disease-specific protein targets, for use in the development of new pharmaceuticals and biomarkers for the improved management of Cancer and other human disease.
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