Farmington startup draws attention for its breast cancer research
By Lee Howard, The Day, New London, Conn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
More than three-quarters of patients traditionally fail to respond to the usual first-line treatment, wasting precious time and money, she said. By using her company's diagnostic test, Fournier said, the percentage of breast cancer patients who were unresponsive to treatment was cut by more than half.
"I think we are getting somewhere with breast cancer," said Fournier, a native of
Fournier's appearance was sponsored by the bioscience network Connecticut United for Research Excellence, which was the recipient this month of a 24,000-square-foot laboratory building donated by Pfizer for use as a business incubator focusing on a range of science applications.
Inside
"It's really about building community," she said.
For Fournier, it was also about getting a chance to talk about her new diagnostic technology at Pfizer, a company that could likely benefit during clinical trials from a test that identifies those who would not benefit from a specific therapy, Pillai said.
Fournier estimated that about
Besides the cost, there also is the question of lost time. Some cancers are curable if patients receive the right treatment up front, Fournier said, but the wrong type of chemotherapy can mean the spread of cancer cells and a greater chance of bad outcomes.
"Unfortunately, only a minority of them will get the right treatment," she said.
Fournier said Bioarray is currently developing a test that could be offered at any laboratory. It is also seeking investors to help commercialize the product.
Fournier added that getting health insurance companies to pay for diagnostic tests can be a big hurdle, but she was confident that Bioarray's clinical data differentiated it from other companies that had not put its product through such rigorous testing. She also acknowledged that intellectual property protections can be difficult to obtain in the current environment but said building a diverse patent portfolio that protects various aspects of the technology can offer investors some comfort.
"Being the first at market is a big deal," Fournier said.
And so is the idea that doctors may soon receive more ammunition in the fight against breast cancer -- with prostate and pancreatic cancers perhaps the next targets for diagnosis.
"We have a cause that people identify with," Fournier said.
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