Letter to Editor
Modeling is Powerful BUT has Far to Go

[Editor’s Note: Many readers wrote to comment on my recent article, Modeling & Simulation Still Need a Push. One thoughtful and extensive response came from Frank Tobin, former head of a modeling initiative at GSK and now the chief computation officer for start-up, Strategic Medicine. He suggests advancing modeling inside pharma is complicated, identifies key obstacles yet to be overcome, and agues the process won’t be rushed unduly. His letter follows.] 

By Frank Tobin 

I read the recent article on modeling and simulation with interest. I'd like to give some perspectives after having run the Scientific Computing and Mathematical Modeling department at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for many years and after having used modeling for many different kinds of biopharmaceutical problems. My department is gone now, dissolved in one of the endless rounds of downsizing so trendy these days. More...

Survey
Taking Steps to Weather the Economic Storm
By John Russell

Predictive Biomedicine conducted a survey of technology providers to get their perspectives on running their companies in difficult times; on what their customers are seeking, and on whether the downturn would be a net plus or minus in prompting adoption of advanced computational tools. Some paint optimistic pictures while others say soberly the economic turmoil will test their survival skills.
We posed five broad questions. More...

Clinical Trials
Web Portal Aids Teamwork, Workflow of Cystic Fibrosis Research
By Deborah Borfitz

A web portal, recently rebuilt on Microsoft’s popular SharePoint platform, is being used to streamline the review of cystic fibrosis (CF) clinical trial protocols and facilitate collaboration. More...

Top Story Last Issue
Pfizer’s BBC Brings Fresh Perspective to Targets

Start with a person who should be sick but isn’t. Use DNA variation to hunt for broken genes that are keeping this person well. Set up a vigorous hypothesis generation and killing machine to mercilessly and quickly winnow through the options (no favored children allowed). Find and make drugs informed by the rare surviving hypothesis and race them through POC. More...

Short News & Analysis

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GenoLogics Wins JBEI Deal 
The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) of U.S. DOE will deploy GenoLogics lab and integrated data management solution for multiple sciences..
  
Euro Science Foundation Lays Out Sys Bio Plan
Crucial breakthroughs in the treatment of many common diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's could be achieved by harnessing a powerful scientific approach called systems biology..

Test Handles Paraffin-Embedded Specimens
Pathwork Diagnostics launched a new version of its Tissue of Origin Test that can analyze formalin-fixed..

InforSense Founder Takes New Role
Yike Guo, InforSense founder, will transition from CEO to become Chief Technology Officer..

New Genotype Offering from Illumina
Illumina launched the Infinium HD (High Density) iSelect Custom Genotyping solution..

Is Warfarin Genotype Testing Cost-effective?
A recent study in Annals of Internal Medicine..

(Click here for full briefs) 

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