The Translational Genomics Research Institute and Ventana Medical Systems are working together to discover and develop diagnostic, prognostic, and drug biomarkers for cancer.

The initial focus of their research agreement will be pancreatic cancer, which TGen and Ventana note suffers a “lack of tools for early detection and the ineffectiveness of current therapeutics,” and hence “why new diagnostic markers and more efficacious therapies are desperately needed.”

The partners will leverage one another’s expertise in discovery and diagnostic product development, and hope to eventually bring new cancer diagnostics to the bedside.

“TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research, where investigators discover the genetic components of disease,” Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., the institute’s president and research director, said in a statement. “Our goal is to rapidly translate basic research findings into actionable targets. Partnering with Ventana we hope will accelerate our goal to deliver meaningful discoveries to cancer patients today.”

“When a patient is faced with cancer, getting an accurate diagnosis quickly is the most important part of their treatment,” added Ventana President and CEO Mara G. Aspinall. “As the global leader in tissue-based cancer diagnostics, our strength is moving research into the clinic in order to improve the lives of all patients afflicted with cancer. We are thrilled to be able to pursue this with a partner right in our Arizona backyard.”

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