UA News

The University of Arizona (UA) and Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: VMSI) have agreed to collaborate in improving the detection and diagnosis of lymphoma. Using advanced technology from the UA's Arizona Proteomics Consortium, they will work to identify novel proteins found only on cancerous cells with the goal of speeding newly developed diagnostic tools to market.

The Arizona Proteomics Consortium will be housed at the BIO5 Institute's new hub, the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building which links several of the University's proteomics facilities including the Arizona Cancer Center, the Arizona Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center.

The Arizona Proteomics Consortium offers the largest and most mature proteomic service in the state, providing systematic analysis of proteins via state-of-the-art mass spectrometry that is coupled with innovative bio-analytical techniques and bioinformatics tools.

"We are fortunate to have the resources at the University of Arizona to assist us in the development of cutting-edge proteomics technology, which enables us to critically examine the role of proteins in human diseases. It is equally important that we have access to the expertise necessary to facilitate the transfer of this technology to the healthcare arena. The collaboration with Ventana fulfills this need, and provides a wonderful example of the benefits to the community when academia and industry work together to solve complex scientific and technical challenges," said BIO5 member Serrine Lau, Ph.D., director, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center in the College of Pharmacy.

"We are delighted to work with the University of Arizona in accelerating the market availability of new diagnostic technology," said Christopher Gleeson, Ventana's president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to this collaboration providing pathologists and oncologists with outstanding diagnostic tools in the future. Development relationships such as these are important and further enhance our position as a world leader in the development of diagnostic tests that assist physicians and have the potential to improve patient care."

Ventana Medical Systems develops, manufactures, and markets instrument/reagent systems that automate slide preparation and staining in anatomical pathology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. Ventana's clinical systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Ventana's drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and evaluate the safety of new drug compounds. Visit the Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., Web site at http://www.ventanamed.com.

BIO5 is a collaborative bioresearch institute at the University of Arizona in Tucson that brings together scientists from five disciplines—agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, basic science and engineering—to solve complex biological problems. BIO5 creates science, education and industry partnerships to disseminate knowledge and apply the knowledge gained to treat disease, feed humanity and preserve livable environments.