News Release

TGen, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center scientist heads lung cancer consortium

International group speeds development of drugs for lung cancer patients

Business Announcement

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — June 8, 2011 — Dr. Glen Weiss, who holds joint appointments at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, is the new Chief Medical Officer of an international lung cancer research consortium.

In this new position, Dr. Weiss heads the Cancer Research and Biostatistics-Clinical Trials Consortium (CRAB-CTC), a Seattle-based cooperative research network, created by a group of preeminent lung cancer investigators. It represents more than 10 institutes worldwide dedicated to funding and facilitating clinical trials, thereby providing lung cancer patients with newly developed therapeutics as quickly as possible.

"Our Consortium's explicit mission is to organize and accelerate the clinical development of new agents for the treatment of patients with lung cancer," said Dr. Weiss, an Assistant Professor of TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division. He also is Director of Thoracic Oncology at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials, a partnership between TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare that treats cancer patients with promising new drugs through clinical trials at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

CRAB-CTC members include laboratory and clinical researchers in the U.S., Canada and China who share a passion for bringing new scientific advances to patients with lung cancer as rapidly as possible.

"Our Consortium provides a well-coordinated effort dedicated to rapidly translating research discoveries into new treatments and supportive care for patients with lung cancer," said Dr. Weiss.

Unlike similar research consortiums, CRAB-CTC is not affiliated or funded by government, but works directly with pharmaceutical firms to advance their compounds.

"CRAB's mission is to help conquer cancer. The network provided by the CRAB-CTC enables research oncologists to design and conduct innovative studies more quickly, in more places and with greater degree of opportunity for specific patient needs," said Dr. John Crowley, CEO of CRAB and lead statistician for multiple cancer clinical trials.

"What this will mean for patients, is that we will be able to offer patients new therapies much faster," Dr. Weiss said.

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About Cancer Research and Biostatistics (CRAB)

CRAB is a Seattle, Wash.-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to help conquer cancer and other diseases through the application of biostatistical principles and innovative data management methods. CRAB was founded by John Crowley, Ph.D., a biostatistician with decades of clinical trials experience. CRAB provides statistical and data management services to cancer therapeutic and prevention trials. Since 1997, CRAB has grown from one part-time employee to nearly 85 full-time statisticians, data coordinators, network and desktop support services personnel, applications developers and administrative staff. Please visit: www.crab.org.

Press Contact:
Diana Lowry, MPH
CRAB CTC Operations Director
206-839-1738
dianal@crab.org

About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare

The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare in Scottsdale, Ariz. offers comprehensive cancer care and research through Phase I clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and support services in collaboration with leading scientific researchers and community oncologists. Scottsdale Healthcare is the nonprofit parent organization of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital. For more information, visit www.shc.org.

Press Contact:
Keith Jones
Public Relations Director, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
480-323-1382
kjones@shc.org

About TGen

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.

Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
syozwiak@tgen.org


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