Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Iris BioTechnologies for Technology Innovation in the Pharmacogenomics Arena

Home > Press > Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Iris BioTechnologies for Technology Innovation in the Pharmacogenomics Arena

Abstract:
Based on its recent analysis of the pharmacogenomics market, Frost & Sullivan presents Iris BioTechnologies Inc. (Iris) with the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation. The Award recognizes the firm's remarkable efforts toward the development of a patented, integrated technology platform, the Nano-Biochip™ gene expression diagnostic system and an artificial intelligence bioinformatics platform, called BioWindows™.

Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Iris BioTechnologies for Technology Innovation in the Pharmacogenomics Arena

PALO ALTO, CA | Posted on July 7th, 2008

The Nano-BioChip™ and informatics system together is designed to assist physicians in quickly prescribing the most effective, customized treatment protocol for patients based on their genetic imprints and other aspects central to a disease's incidence, such as lifestyle and environmental factors. For patients, this technology would be pivotal in yielding a personalized treatment regimen, with the greatest possibility of success.

"Iris has the capability to employ its Nano-BioChip™ technology and BioWindows™ platform to cater to a wide spectrum of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders and other gene-related metabolic problems," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Vanitha S. V. "However, the firm's primary focus is to develop an effective and reliable Nano-BioChip™ for the prognosis of breast cancer."

Devised as BreastCancerChip™, Iris' Nano-BioChip™ gene expression diagnostic technology for breast cancer, is designed to capture crucial molecular information concerning the activity of more than one hundred genes implicated in breast cancer, from a breast biopsy sample. The breast biopsy sample obtained can be processed to obtain tissue RNA, which can be compared to 100 predefined gene markers, associated with breast cancer. An optical pattern is created based on the number of target gene markers on the Nano-BioChip™, to which the sample tissue RNA is bound.

The optical pattern thus obtained can be analyzed using the BioWindows™ bioinformatics platform. This proprietary artificial intelligence system is a centralized, expandable database, which gathers patients' personal information, medical history, including their environmental, lifestyle and hereditary dispositions via a comprehensive online survey. The optical pattern is analyzed by comparing the pattern to historical clinical reference information contained within Iris' database.

"While the Nano-BioChip™ captures the patient's genomic profile, the BioWindows™ reference database and computer program serves as a complementary platform to analyze the specimen gene profile and deliver a rapid, secure, confidential and detailed diagnostic report to the patient's designated physician, which assists them to identify a unique, optimal medical treatment solution for each patient," remarks Vanitha. "Iris has thus demonstrated tremendous foresight toward the discovery and development of a breakthrough proprietary technology platform that could be pivotal in engendering the most appropriate customized treatment option."

Iris launched its BioWindows™ platform globally on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008 and plans to launch its first product, the BreastCancerChip™, later this year. Some of Iris's other products in development based on the same technology platform include other chips such as the NeuroChip™, CardioChip™, and MetabolicChip™ for human use, and specialized and proprietary chips for veterinary, agricultural, and environmental applications.

In summary, Iris's technology is a near-term opportunity that could significantly transform the way in which personalized medication is currently being prescribed. In recognition of Iris's remarkable efforts in engendering a radical technology in the field of disease theranostics, Frost & Sullivan is honored to present Iris BioTechnologies with the 2008 Award for Technology Innovation.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to the company that has carried out new research, which has resulted in innovation(s) that have or are expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. The Award recognizes the quality and depth of a company's research and development program as well as the vision and risk-taking that enabled it to undertake such an endeavor.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Iris BioTechnologies Inc.

Iris BioTechnologies (www.irisbiotech.com), located in Santa Clara, CA, is a theranostics company, dedicated to creating a novel approach to monitor gene expression levels and mutations in order to identify the ideal treatment solution for patients. By categorizing individuals according to their genomic and personal profiles, Iris BioTechnologies accurately determines the optimal medical solution for each patient through a proprietary informatics program, BioWindows. Iris's ever expanding database, in addition to their developments of the Comprehensive Cancer Chip™, NeuroChip™, CardioChip™, and MetabolicChip™ adds to their extensive product pipeline. The company's first biochip, the BreastCancerChip, is expected to be available in the second half of 2008.

For further information, visit the company website at www.irisbiotech.com.

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About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership™ empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents.

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The Investor Relations Group for Iris BioTechnologies
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