PRECOS Launches Premium Bespoke Collection of Clinically Relevant Lung In Oncology Models for Drug Discovery at AACR Annual Meeting 2012

NOTTINGHAM, UK (2 April 2012) – Preclinical Oncology Services Limited (PRECOS), a leading pre-clinical research and development service provider with a specific focus on oncology, today launches its Lung In ONcology model atlas (LION) at the AACR Annual meeting (Chicago, March 31^st – April 4^th 2012, booth #4306). LION provides a premium bespoke collection of clinically relevant and validated lung oncology models for in vitro and in vivo drug discovery screening. The models are of interest to leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies looking to deliver significantly higher research productivity for their portfolio of therapeutic targets.

In collaboration with world-renowned experts, PRECOS is able to provide a unique collection of models from target identification to clinically relevant drug candidates to support effective drug discovery for lung cancers. LION is part of the PRECOS PREdict platform for target discovery, a service that provides unique panels of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo models characterised, validated and ready to run in studies.

By utilising the pharmacological audit trail (PhAT) to provide a rational framework for assessing the risk profile of a new agent,  LION enables the collection of predictive lung models to match each step of the decision making process. LION provides detailed pharmacological mapping of clinically relevant lung models using a proprietary 3D tumour growth assay (TGA). The novel compounds in 3D TGAs are assessed against multiple standards of care and in combination therapies to develop a unique “map” of the lead therapeutic against the landscape of existing treatments.

Treatment decisions have traditionally been empiric and based upon tumour histology. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment but survival rates remain low. As understanding develops with a continued expansion of the number of molecular compared to conventional therapies, PRECOS is able to provide further advanced and predictive in vitro and in vivo models. The LION collection provides relevant, reproducible in vivo models to support pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of novel therapeutics and appropriate efficacy studies, including combination studies. Advanced orthotropic and bioluminescent models as well as unique models of resistance enable a comprehensive analysis of potential opportunities for novel therapeutics.

“PRECOS continues to develop deeper, clinically relevant screening methods relevant to the models we hold, to produce a greater understanding of the disease state,” said Dr Martin Page, scientific consultant, PRECOS. “Changes in gene expression and mutational status, allow a greater insight into the relevance of each lung model. Our panels are designed to help our clients address their key needs and challenges by providing cutting-edge clinically relevant models that are ready to run.”

To find out more about LION and other PRECOS’ service offerings at the AACR Annual Meeting, please visit booth #4306. Dr Martin Page, scientific consultant, will be on hand to discuss your strategic needs. Alternatively please call +44 0870 166 6234, e-mail enquires@precos.co.uk or visit www.precos.co.uk to request further information.

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About PRECOS Ltd

PRECOS Ltd. is a flexible pre-clinical research and development service with a specific focus on oncology, with an established track record in providing expert support to direct cancer drug development projects from concept to clinic. PRECOS evaluates the innovative cancer medicines of the future in patient-relevant models to ensure that pre-clinical efficacy assessment is predictive of how the drug is likely to behave in clinical trials with cancer patients. The PRECOS team of expert scientists assist in the selection and execution of appropriate analytical systems by a staged approach of in vitro studies, in vivo model development, subsequent in vivo mechanistic and therapeutic evaluations and post-study analyses, all conveyed with added value through specialist scientific interpretation of the data. PRECOS scientists apply cutting-edge technology and ideas to individual research programmes and delivers a flexible, tailored approach to all research objectives, whether a one-off service or a complete research programme.

PRECOS, an acronym of Pre-Clinical Oncology Services, was officially launched as a specialist business unit of the University of Nottingham (UK) in 2004. PRECOS evolved from the research expertise of the Division of Pre-clinical Oncology (formerly Academic Unit of Studies), which had successful collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the UK, EU, US and Japan for over a decade. For further information: www.precos.co.uk

For further press information please contact: Sarah Evans - The Scott Partnership, 1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8AA, United Kingdom. Tel: + 44 1477 539 539 Fax: +44 1477 539 540 E-mail: precos@scottpr.com

Expert Task Force Recommends Halving Global Fishing for Crucial Prey Species

Forage Fish Twice as Valuable in the Water as in the Net

WASHINGTON – Fishing for sand eels, herring, and other “forage fish” in general should be cut in half globally to account for their critical role as food for larger species, recommends an expert group of marine scientists in a report released today. The Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force conducted the most comprehensive worldwide analysis of the science and management of forage fish populations to date. Its report, “Little Fish, Big Impact: Managing a crucial link in ocean food webs,” concluded that in most ecosystems at least twice as many of these species should be left in the ocean as conventional practice.  

A thriving marine ecosystem relies on plenty of forage fish, such as sardines and anchovies. These small schooling fish are a crucial link in ocean food webs because they eat tiny plants and animals, called plankton, and are preyed upon by animals such as penguins, whales, seals, puffins, and dolphins. They are primary food sources for many commercially and recreationally valuable fish found around Europe, such as tuna and cod. The task force estimated that, globally, these species are twice as valuable in the water as in a net—contributing US$11.3 billion (€8.5 billion) by serving as food for other commercially important fish. This is more than double the US$5.6 billion (€4.2 billion) they generate as direct catch.

“We have been managing fisheries for forage species in a manner that cannot sustain the food webs, or some of the industries, they support,” says Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University in the United States, who convened and led the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force. “As three-fourths of marine ecosystems in our study have predators highly dependent on forage fish, it is economically and biologically imperative that we develop smarter management for these small but significant species.”

Forage fish are also a source of healthy omega-3 oils in the diets of people, and some fish oil is used in nutritional supplements for humans. Relatively small amounts, however, are used for direct human consumption. Their demand in recent decades has greatly increased for use as fish meal and fish oil to feed farmed fish, pigs, and chickens. Many common forage fish species in Europe, such as blue whiting, capelin, and sand eels, are used almost exclusively for fish meal.

“Our analysis found that the best way generally to ensure there’s enough food for dependent predators is to reduce fishing for their prey,” said Dr. Ian L. Boyd, professor and director of the NERC Sea Mammal Research Unit and the Scottish Oceans Institute at the University of St. Andrews, and task force member. “We need to start to understand that leaving some types of fish in the water in greater numbers is not just good for ecosystems, but it is good economics, too.”

“The Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force utilized a wide range of scientific perspectives to find management solutions that will better sustain forage fish fisheries and the populations of predators that feed on them,” said Dr. Philippe Cury, senior scientist at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement and director of the Centre de Recherche Halieutique Méditerranéenne et Tropicale in France, and task force member. “If governments use our recommendations to guide their management decisions, they will be adopting a more holistic and farsighted approach to achieve better stewardship of our oceans.”

Made up of 13 preeminent scientists with expertise in a wide range of disciplines, the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force was established to generate specific and practical advice to support better management of forage fish around the world. This group of experts, with support from the Lenfest Ocean Program, synthesized scientific research and other information about these species and conducted original simulation modeling to reach their conclusions.     

Find more information about:

Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force: www.oceanconservationscience.org/foragefish

Lenfest Ocean Program: www.lenfestocean.org

Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force Members:

Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch, chair, professor and executive  director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, USA

Dr. P. Dee Boersma, professor and director of the Center for Penguins as Ocean Sentinels, University of Washington, USA

Dr. Ian L. Boyd, professor and director of the NERC Sea Mammal Research Unit and the Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, UK

Dr. David O. Conover, professor, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, USA

Dr. Philippe Cury, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, director of the Centre de Recherche Halieutique Méditerranéenne et Tropicale, France

Dr. Tim Essington, associate professor, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, USA

Dr. Selina S. Heppell, associate professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, USA

Dr. Edward D. Houde, professor, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, USA

Dr. Marc Mangel, distinguished professor and director of the Center for Stock Assessment Research, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA

Dr. Daniel Pauly, professor, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Canada

Dr. Éva Plagányi, Marine and Atmospheric research scientist, CSIRO, Australia

Dr. Keith Sainsbury, professor, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science, University of Tasmania, Australia, and director of SainSolutions Pty Ltd

Dr. Robert S. Steneck, professor, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, USA

The Lenfest Ocean Program supports scientific research aimed at forging solutions to the challenges facing the global marine environment. The program was established in 2004 by the Lenfest Foundation and is managed by the Pew Environment Group. www.LenfestOcean.org

The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University is dedicated to advancing ocean conservation through science. The Institute transforms real-world policy while pursuing serious science, both of which are essential for ocean health. www.OceanConservationScience.org