December 13, 2006
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (December 13, 2006) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, today announced the launch of mVivo™, a service that allows researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of investigational drugs during animal testing. With the introduction of mVivo, Metabolon completes their three product series of metabolomic drug safety and efficacy testing solutions, spanning the entire drug discovery and development workflow.
"mVivo provides a tool for scientists to better understand a drug’s therapeutic capability before it is tested in humans,” said John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Since biochemical biomarkers are highly conserved between species, results from mVivo studies can be reliably used to predict a drug’s effects in humans. As part of drug discovery and development research, mVivo results will improve decisions about whether a drug should be advanced to the next stage of development.”
By analyzing microgram or microliter quantities of the target samples routinely isolated for evaluation, mVivo analysis provides valuable, non-biased information about a drug’s on- and off-target effects during animal studies. This global assessment is achieved through the analysis of hundreds of biochemical metabolites which are used to identify drug-induced changes across virtually the entire spectrum of known biochemical pathways. From a single sample, mVivo analysis provides the information needed to make actionable decisions about a drug’s safety, efficacy, and positioning.
“The launch of mVivo extends Metabolon’s growing portfolio of solutions designed to improve the efficiency of drug discovery and development,” said Ryals. “Metabolon’s family of products, mSelect™, mProveClinical™, and mVivo™, now provide our customers with a unified platform to understand drug effects on biomarkers throughout in vitro, animal, and human studies.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
October 30, 2006
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (October 30, 2006) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, today introduced mProveClinical™, a service offering that provides insight into a drug’s biochemical and physiological effects in first-in-human clinical trials. Combined with clinical observations and measurements, mProveClinical provides drug development organizations with key information on a subject’s response to a drug. This data enables more informed decisions to be made about the drug’s continued testing and positioning or, if required, offers guidance as to how it can be repositioned.
“mProveClinical is Metabolon’s second packaged service offering that promises to accelerate drug development,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Both mProveClinical and mSelect™, our first offering for drug discovery, empower companies with data that can determine a drug’s potential faster and with less expense.”
mProveClinical analysis requires only 100 microliters of a patient’s specimen, which is already collected during initial clinical trials. From this single sample, analysis of hundreds of biochemical metabolites is performed and used to identify changes across virtually the entire spectrum of known biochemical pathways. Once altered pathways are identified, the biological impact of these effects is summarized by Metabolon’s team of scientists. Organizations can use this information to determine a drug’s development viability and positioning.
“mProveClinical and mSelect prove Metabolon’s evolution from developing the science of metabolomics to creating innovative products that yield tangible results,” said Ryals. “Metabolon will continue adding to this suite of offerings, further enabling companies to move viable drugs to market more efficiently.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is the industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
September 18, 2006
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (September 18, 2006) – Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker identification used for disease diagnosis and drug safety and efficacy testing, announced today the launch of mSelect™, a service offering that empowers researchers in early drug discovery to select the most promising and lowest-risk drug candidates for continued development.
Based on advanced metabolomic analysis where drug-induced biochemical changes are detected in a single assay system, mSelect provides an unbiased and nontargeted assessment of a compound’s on- and off-target effects. Results from mSelect studies allow researchers to advance compounds with higher potential for success in subsequent stages of development. By improving candidate selection, mSelect offers insight into how a drug can be positioned in the market or, if required, how it can be repositioned.
“mSelect enables researchers in the early stages of drug discovery to prioritize lead candidates so the most viable compounds can be advanced with confidence,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Unlike the results obtained from the targeted approaches offered in current solutions mSelect analyzes activity across virtually the entire spectrum of pathways in a single test. Our mSelect solution gives a clear, comprehensive assessment of compound activity that allows drug developers to make informed decisions about the direction of their research.”
Metabolon researchers analyze compounds or pellets and lysates from cells already dosed with a compound. Biological interpretation of the effects is provided by the company’s team of biochemists so that candidates can be effectively chosen for advancement.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In 2006, Metabolon was awarded a patent that broadly covers the metabolomic methods used to identify biomarkers seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
March 23, 2006
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (March 23, 2006) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the identification of novel biomarkers that reveal disease processes and drive drug development, today announced the issuance of United States Patent 7,005,255, titled “Methods for drug discovery, disease treatment, and diagnosis using metabolomics.” The patent broadly covers metabolomic methods used to identify the molecular profiles, or biomarkers, seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Beyond ALS research, Metabolon’s technology is being applied to numerous disease categories and across multiple stages of research. Since the technology can be applied to virtually any disease, this patent represents the first step in a comprehensive portfolio of patents that will position Metabolon as the leading solutions provider in metabolomics.
“Metabolon is a pioneer in the development of metabolomics and has filed broadly to protect methods and discoveries arising from the use of metabolomic technology,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “This patent is an important milestone for Metabolon and represents the beginning of a steady stream of issued claims that will define the future of this technology.”
The invention includes methods for generating and analyzing small molecule profiles, identifying potential therapeutic targets for drug development and determining which individuals are likely to respond to therapy. Metabolon’s technology applies to both genetic- and nongenetic-linked disease states and can be used to predict drug response based on genetic and nongenetic factors.
“Using Metabolon’s differentiated solutions for metabolomic analysis, we have been able to advance ALS research with a new level of accuracy and speed,” said Merit Cudkowicz, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor at Harvard Medical School and a study investigator. “The results of this research have provided us with apromising profile of biomarkers that, with further research, may be used to help identify ALS patients earlier and predict which patients will respond to therapeutic intervention.”
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patented technology dramatically impacts drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
January 18, 2006
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (January 18, 2006) – Metabolon, Inc., a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using metabolomics, today announced the close of an $8 million Series B funding round. Sevin Rosen Funds (Palo Alto, CA) led the round with participation from all existing investors including The Aurora Funds (Durham, NC) and The Trelys Funds (Columbia, SC). A new investor, Harris & Harris Group (New York, NY), also contributed to the financing.
“Metabolon has come a long way in a short period of time,” said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. “Our metabolomics technology is proving to have applications in many areas of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development. These funds will allow Metabolon to make substantial progress toward our commercialization goals, and we are delighted to have Harris & Harris Group join our current investors.”
“Sevin Rosen Funds looks forward to continuing its work with Metabolon to further the field of metabolomics,” said John Oxaal, general partner with Sevin Rosen Funds. “With Metabolon’s deep understanding of metabolic pathways and its ability to detect the early onset of disease, the company is striving to set new standards for drug therapies.”
“The power of Metabolon’s technology has exceeded The Aurora Funds’ expectations,” said Jeff Clark, managing general partner at The Aurora Funds. “The company remains a leader in shaping the future of this important field.”
The round is joined by Harris & Harris Group, a publicly held venture capital company specializing in funding companies with novel technology.
“Harris & Harris Group is excited to have the opportunity to join the existing syndicate of investors in providing Metabolon with the resources to continue to pursue its commercial strategy with its validated metabolomics platform,” said Doug Jamison, president, COO and CFO of Harris & Harris Group.
About Metabolon
Metabolon is an industry leader in the discovery of biomarkers through the use of metabolomics, a powerful scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolon's patent-pending technology is poised to dramatically impact drug discovery and development processes by accurately measuring the spectrum of biochemical changes and mapping these changes to metabolic pathways. Metabolon's technology can identify safer compounds for development, shorten the time for drugs to get to market and identify novel biomarkers for earlier disease detection. In conjunction with the NIH, Metabolon was honored as a recipient of the 2005 March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity.
About Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds is a top-tier venture capital firm with a track record of funding successful companies since 1981. The partnership has consistently made early-stage investments in pioneering technologies and companies with the potential to create new markets. The partners’ broad range of venture and operating experiences in successful technology companies translates into a sustained commitment and contribution to the development of the ventures funded. Compaq, Lotus, Cypress, Electronic Arts, SGI, Citrix and CIENA, are representative of some of the firm’s successful IPOs. The firm has offices in Dallas, Palo Alto, Austin and San Diego. For more information, please visit www.srfunds.com.
About The Aurora Funds
Founded in 1994, The Aurora Funds is a venture capital firm that provides capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs with healthcare and information technology companies in the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The firm has over $200 million of total capital under management and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The firm has the capacity to invest between $4 million to $8 million throughout the life cycle of an investment. More information is available at www.aurorafunds.com.
About The Trelys Funds
The Trelys Funds is an early-to-middle stage focused venture capital firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. Formed in 2002, Trelys invests primarily in technology-based companies with rapid growth potential. Initial investment amounts range from $500,000 to $1,500,000. For more information, please visit www.trelys.com.
About Harris & Harris Group
Harris & Harris Group (NASDAQ: TINY) is a publicly traded venture capital company that makes initial investments exclusively in tiny technology, including nanotechnology, microsystems and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The Company's last 26 initial private equity investments have been in tiny technology-enabled companies. Detailed information about Harris & Harris Group, Inc. and its holdings can be found on its website at www.tinytechvc.com.