21
Aug
2017
Tag: companion diagnostics
26
Jun
2017
Bionest
Liquid Biopsy – Looking Beyond EGFR
In April, two important reports were published — one in the New England Journal of Medicine, one in Nature — that added evidence in support of liquid biopsy as a means of monitoring for the recurrence of cancer and to predict a patient’s response to adjuvant therapy. Both studies were based on data from the...
14
Jun
2017
Bionest
Towards a Universal Immuno-oncology Assay Predictive of Drug Response
We have written frequently about the growing importance of biomarkers and how diagnostics will increasingly play a dominant role in the way that therapeutics are prescribed and reimbursed. Immuno-oncology (IO) treatments in particular are expected to benefit from the availability of truly predictive biomarkers, based on the dramatic treatment gains they have achieved for a...
5
Apr
2017
Bionest
PARP Inhibitors Chalk Up Impressive Gains in Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Therapy
On March 27, the FDA gave Tesaro a broad approval for its PARP inhibitor, niraparib, as maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer after a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. The FDA decision came well in advance of the PDUFA date set for June 30, and...
21
Mar
2017
Bionest
Alzheimer’s Disease Part Two: Effecting Change – The Need for Validated Biomarkers of Risk and Response
We recently wrote about the continued, costly failure of Alzheimer’s disease drugs, often occurring in Phase 3 clinical development. Of 244 compounds tested from 2002 to 2012, only one gained approval. Today there are four compounds on the market for Alzheimer’s disease (of six total approved since research began), all aimed at treating symptoms rather...
2
Mar
2017
Bionest
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Makes First Bio Research Awards
Last fall, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announced plans to invest $3 billion over 10 years in scientific efforts with an ambitious long-range aim to “cure, prevent or manage” all diseases. As a first part of that effort, they directed $600 million towards the establishment of the CZ Biohub in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood. This...
1
Feb
2017
Bionest
Communicating Value
— Robert J. Easton, Co-Chairman, Bionest Partners During the annual January gathering of the biopharma world in San Francisco this year, in-coming President Donald J. Trump put drug developers on notice and sent pharmaceutical and biotechnology stock prices plunging by accusing the industry of “getting away with murder” with respect to drug pricing. ...
8
Dec
2016
Bionest
Moonshot: On its Way
On September 17, Vice President Joe Biden released his final report on the Cancer Moonshot before leaving office. He announced progress on over 20 programs now underway during the effort’s first year or soon to be launched, and another two dozen for the second year of the effort and beyond. Back in September we...
29
Sep
2016
Bionest
Blue Ribbon Panel Issues Cancer Moonshot Recommendations
On September 7, a Blue Ribbon Panel — composed of 28 top cancer researchers, oncologists, patient advocates and leaders from the private sector — issued 10 recommendations aimed at speeding up advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The panel was created as part of the Cancer Moonshot first announced in January of this...
6
Jul
2016