Best Oncologist in India Effectively Curing Abroad Patients of Cancer Tumors

Best Oncologist in India Effectively Curing Abroad Patients of Cancer Tumors

Best oncologist in India are now being found to extend their quality oriented treatment to advanced and sophisticated cancer treatment hospitals of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. These oncologists in India are highly qualified, internationally trained and fully experienced. Moreover they are aware of using the most advanced surgical treatment techniques to cure the dreaded disease of cancer. Cancer surgeons of India are now being successfully approached by many patients from abroad destinations like Australia, South Africa, USA, UK, Canada and Europe. The healthcare system of India has been undertaken and managed by private corporate sector. This sector is keen to provide hygienic medical conditions to abroad patients at its hospitals. The quality of medical treatment is also being maintained properly. Moreover most treatment procedures of cancer are being provide at a less price.

Indian oncologists can efficiently cure you if you are a victim of cancer disease. There are numerous people around the world who are a victim of various kinds of cancers. These patients have to undergo various types of cancer surgeries to cure their health problems. Cancer surgery is basically performed for removal of cancer tumors from organs and tissues with the help of different medical treatment procedures. There are various kinds of cancer treatments that are performed on different parts of the body for removing cancer tumors at the earliest. Cancer treatment is one of the best remedies to make the body free from dangerous tumors. This is also considered as an essential form of oncology treatment. All of us are well aware of cancer disease, it grows in a fast way all over the human body. During the commencing stage of cancer the irregular growth of cancer tumors are not being recognized.

During the beginning or preliminary stages of cancer the fast growth of new cells is fairly taking place at a slow rate. These cancer tumors expand and get expanded in size at a fast rate later on. If see the condition from the view of the cancer patients we will find that metastasis of cancer cells is a dangerous condition. It should be brought under control as early as possible. Slowly the cancer tumors start multiplying and spreading in the isolated parts of the human body. These cancer tumors start contaminating areas like lymphatic system. Cancer tumors are seen in many shapes and sizes. The oncology cancer surgery mainly depends on the number and strength of cancer tumors.

In race for bigger margins, drug makers like Piramal, Sun Pharma, Lupin and others willing to lose the India 'advantage'

In race for bigger margins, drug makers like Piramal, Sun Pharma, Lupin and others willing to lose the India 'advantage'

Drugmakers are fleeing a regulatory morass at home and moving some research and development to Europe and the United States as they try to boost margins by producing high-value drugs.

The country's $15 billion a year pharma industry, the world's largest source of cheap generics, is already reeling from a string of drug recalls and quality control issues which have called into question the regulator's oversight.

Now, companies like Piramal Enterprises Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Lupin Ltd are investing millions of dollars and placing their future growth in foreign regulators' hands, as they seek to add more complex drugs to their product lines.

"We have lost what is called the India advantage," said Swati Piramal, vice-chair of Mumbai-based Piramal Enterprises which last year moved some clinical trials for new drugs abroad.

"The India advantage was saying we can research molecules ... and finish the clinical trials and the cost would be one-tenth of the West," she said.

"Now, we have to acquire small groups of highly specialised people who can work on a particular type of product and know exactly how to do it. That's the new alternative - to really invest in R&D abroad," she added.

Indian drugmakers rely on cheap generics for the bulk of their revenue, but like their global peers, they are focusing more on niche markets such as ophthalmology and oral contraceptives, and difficult-to-make products such as inhalers and injectables in a bid to achieve higher profit margins.

Some companies are also making copies of bio-drugs called biosimilars, the latest trend in the global pharma industry which requires intensive R&D and a regulator with experience in handling such sophisticated medicines.

Like its peers, Piramal does not disclose how much it spends on R&D abroad. Industry research firm CRISIL, however, forecast R&D spending by India's top 20 pharma firms to rise to about 6.5 pe rcent of total revenue by 2018 from about 5.8 per cent now.

Company executives say the higher cost of moving abroad will be partly offset by the ability to bring high-value drugs to their main markets in the United States and Europe more quickly: it takes nearly a year to get clinical trials approved in India compared to about 28 days in the United States.

These high-value drugs hold so much potential that companies

are willing to put up with long delays before they can launch them at home, a fast-growing market for more expensive medicines, as India's regulator only allows drugs that have been tested locally to be sold there.

MOVING WEST

Drugmakers say they are frustrated by the lack of concrete regulations for clinical trials two years after the Supreme Court halted 162 studies citing unethical practices. G.N. Singh, the Drug Controller General of India said the regulator was working on hiring more staff and simplifying the process for clinical trials. He did not elaborate.

Analysts also partially blame weak regulatory oversight for the import bans imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Indian drugmakers in the past year.

In addition to a smoother regulatory process, drugmakers say moving R&D abroad allows them ready access to a pool of trained talent and better infrastructure, which is lacking in India.

"Investing in research abroad is specific to companies that want to grow in certain areas for which the best talent and regulatory expertise is available abroad," said Shakti Chakraborty, group president at Lupin.

So far, Indian drugmakers have looked to Europe and the United States as they expand their R&D.

Lupin is setting up two R&D plants in the United States for an undisclosed amount while rival Cipla Ltd has said it would invest 100 million pounds ($166 million) in Britain for research and clinical trials to develop drugs for respiratory and oncology-related diseases.

Sun Pharma, India's largest drugmaker by sales, last month said it had acquired U.S.-based Pharmalucence for an undisclosed amount to bolster research capabilities and an executive at Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd also said the company was looking for acquisitions abroad in R&D.

Developed Asian economies such as Singapore and South Korea are also emerging as potential R&D destinations for Indian companies, industry groups and analysts say.

"For Indian companies to set up R&D abroad is expensive, but it is necessary, because otherwise their ability to grow within the country is going to be limited," said Kavita Patel, a fellow in the Engelberg Center for Healthcare Reform at the Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution.

FDA expands approval of Promacta

FDA expands approval of Promacta

Eltrombopag (Promacta, GlaxoSmithKline), an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist, already had been approved for treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C, as well as those with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who demonstrated insufficient response to immunoglobulins, corticosteroids or splenectomy.

In patients with severe aplastic anemia, bone marrow does not make sufficient numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Eltrombopag increases the production of blood cells by inducing the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells.

The FDA had granted eltrombopag breakthrough therapy designation for this indication in January, and it granted priority review status in April.

The FDA based its approval in part on results of a phase 2 study conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at NIH. The single-arm, open-label trial included 43 patients with severe aplastic anemia who had insufficient response to immunosuppressive therapy.

Results showed 17 patients (40%) demonstrated hematologic response in at least one lineage — red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets — after week 12. During the study’s extension phase, eight patients demonstrated multi-lineage response. Four of them tapered off treatment but maintained the response throughout a median follow-up of 8.1 months (range, 7.2-10.6).

Ninety-one percent of patients had been platelet transfusion-dependent at baseline. Among responders, the median platelet transfusion-free period was 200 days (range, 8-1,096). Eighty-six percent of patients had been red blood cell transfusion-dependent at baseline. Among responders, the median red blood cell transfusion-free period was 208 days (range, 15-1,082).

The most frequently reported adverse events in eltrombopag-treated patients were nausea (33%), fatigue (28%), cough (23%), diarrhea (21%) and headache (21%).

“FDA approval of Promacta addresses a significant treatment need for this very rare but serious blood disorder in those who have failed current treatment options,” Paolo Paoletti, MD, GlaxoSmithKline’s president of oncology, said in a press release. “Through collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, whose studies demonstrate the potential for Promacta to achieve a hematologic response in at least one lineage — red blood cells, platelets or white blood cells — patients now have a treatment option where one didn’t previously exist.”

 

Merck’s immuno-oncology treatment likely to get FDA’s approval sooner than expected

Merck’s immuno-oncology treatment likely to get FDA’s approval sooner than expected

Merck & Co’s immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab is likely to be granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, as a treatment for melanoma.

With the FDA’s approval, the drug would be the first in a new class of treatments supporting the body’s own immune system to fight cancer by blocking a protein known as Programmed Death receptor (PD-1), or a related PD-L1.

The FDA’s decision is scheduled for October, but sources said the agency could give its approval within weeks, but it is not 100 per cent certain.

Merck has been seeking approval for PD-1 drug application for patients whose skin cancer does not respond to treatment with Yervoy, a Bristol-Myers immunotherapy.

Trials of pembrolizumab have shown that the drug is able to reduce tumours in about a third of patients with late-stage melanoma. According to Dr Antoni Ribas, professor of hematology-oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles, allowing the drug to be sold to melanoma patients would be a significant development, as there are still few options available for them.

Merck and its rivals are also studying PD-1 drugs as a treatment for other types of cancer, such as lung cancer.

The difference between the current cancer treatments and pembrolizumab is that the novel immuno-oncology drugs trigger the body’s own ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells, rather than killing cancer cells directly.

However, some researchers point to a potential risk is that stimulating the immune system could cause side effects, from mild rash to more serious liver problems or colitis.

Pfizer back for AstraZeneca? Year-end move seen most likely

Pfizer back for AstraZeneca? Year-end move seen most likely

Shares in drugmaker AstraZeneca have climbed more than 7 percent this week, fueled by speculation of renewed takeover interest from Pfizer, following an abortive $118 billion (71 billion pounds) takeover attempt in May.

But while British takeover rules mean deal talks could be back on the cards as early as Aug. 26, following the ending of the first of a two-stage cooling-off period, many investors and analysts see the year-end as a more likely time for any return.

"I'm not expecting anything next week," said Dan Mahony, a fund manager at Polar Capital, who increased his stake in AstraZeneca last year. "I know the stock is rallying on anticipation but I suspect if anything is going to happen it is more likely to happen in November or December."

Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read has made clear he is still considering big deals to revive his firm's pipeline and cut its tax bill - something buying AstraZeneca would allow it to do via a so-called inversion that would shift its tax base to Britain.

However, Read has little leverage right now. Pfizer cannot take the initiative and launch a public bid until Nov. 26 - six months from when it walked away after AstraZeneca rejected its last offer - though AstraZeneca can invite it back from Aug. 26.

British rules also allow Pfizer to make a single offer via a private phone call to AstraZeneca. But this single offer option is rarely used in takeover situations as the bidder has no way to take things further if the target simply says "no".

As a result, Pfizer would need to make a knockout offer at a big premium to its last bid of 55 pounds a share, which many analysts view as unlikely given Read's reluctance to close the gap in May to the 58.85 pounds AstraZeneca indicated it wanted.

CANCER DRUG HOPES

The one factor that could force AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot back to the table this month would be sustained pressure from his shareholders, a number of whom are disgruntled that he let Pfizer's offer slip away.

Yet there has been no high-profile investor rebellion so far - and Soriot has been steadily building up hopes for his company's new cancer drugs, adding respiratory medicines through a deal with Almirall and putting behind him a damaging U.S. investigation into heart drug Brilinta.

AstraZeneca aims to present more convincing evidence for its experimental medicines at a cancer conference in Madrid in late September, and Soriot intends to highlight the potential of the full line-up of new drugs at an investor day on Nov. 18.

The decision to time that investor event just one week before Pfizer has a free hand to renew its approaches suggests AstraZeneca is "very unlikely" to invite Pfizer to make a new offer once the three-month cooling off period ends next week, according to analysts at Jefferies.

Political uncertainty has also played into the British group's hands to some extent, with recent U.S. threats to clamp down on tax inversions provoking fears that such tax-saving deals may in future be blocked.

Following the failure to buy AstraZeneca in May, healthcare bankers says Pfizer has been looking at other targets.

Ireland-based Actavis would represent one good alternative, according to analysts at Leerink, and Berenberg believes Pfizer could even contemplate buying AstraZeneca's larger British rival GlaxoSmithKline.

But neither offers as good a fit as AstraZeneca, whose pipeline of immune system-boosting cancer drugs would complement Pfizer's currently narrow oncology portfolio.

AstraZeneca shares were 2.2 percent high at 43.79 pounds by 1.50 p.m. BST, outperforming a 0.6 percent gain in the European drugs sector.

Glenmark Pharma at new high, up 4% on foray into oncology

Glenmark Pharma at new high, up 4% on foray into oncology

GBR 1302 was discovered and developed by Glenmark Biologics Research Centre located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and would be first molecule to could become a patented molecule or drug for the company once it goes through multiple stages of research and development.

Shares of  Glenmark Pharma  touched record high at Rs 749.05 per share, up over 4 percent intraday on Wednesday as it forays into oncology with discovery and initiation of an innovative bispecific antibody, GBR 1302 molecule. “GBR 1302 is the first clinical development candidate based on the BEAT technology. The company expects to obtain approval for the initiation of clinical studies during this fiscal,” it said in a press statement to the exchanges. GBR 1302 was discovered and developed by Glenmark Biologics Research Centre located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and would be first molecule to become a patented molecule or drug for the company once it goes through multiple stages of research and development. The GBR 1302 molecule will focus on treatment of breast cancer better than Herceptin, which could target only 25-30 percent of the market.

Glenmark Pharma enters Oncology with discovery of IND enabling studies of innovative bispecific antibody

Glenmark Pharma enters Oncology with discovery of IND enabling studies of innovative bispecific antibody

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals S.A. (GPSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (GPL) has entered into Oncology with the discovery and initiation of IND enabling studies of a novel clinical development candidate, GBR 1302, a HER2xCD3 bispecific antibody.

GEM 1302 was discovered and developed by the Glenmark Biologics Research Centre located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. GBR 1302 is based on Glenmark's innovative BEAT antibody technology platform which facilitates the efficient development and manufacture of antibodies with dual specificities, so-called bispecific antibodies. GBR 1302 is the first clinical development candidate based on the BEAT technology. Glenmark expects to obtain approval for the Initiation of clinical studies during this financial year.

HER2, also known as HER2/neu, or receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2, is the target of the antibody cancer drugs trastuzumab, pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine and is involved in breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

GBR 1302's mode of action is different from current HER2 targeting antibodies. It redirects cytotoxic T cells through its CD3 binding arm onto HER2 expressing cancer cells and induces the killing of the cancer cells. The killing of cancer cells by GBR 1302 is more rapid, more complete and not subject to the same resistance escape mechanisms as competing therapies.

Glenmark which operates in North America through its subsidiary Glenmark Generics Inc. has a fast growing generics business with a robust portfolio of over 90 products authorized for distribution in the U.S. in niche segments like Dermatology, Hormones, Controlled Substances, Oncology and Modified Release products.

India based Venus Remedies gets market authorisation for oncology drugs from Swiss authority

India based Venus Remedies gets market authorisation for oncology drugs from Swiss authority

Pharma major Venus Remedies has secured its first marketing authorisation in Switzerland from Swiss drug authority 'Swissmedic' for its oncology drug 'Gemcitabine'. The marketing approval for Gemcitabine will help the company further strengthen its oncology portfolio and improve its presence in this space, Venus Remedies said in a statement here today.

The Panchkula-based company plans to launch the drug early next quarter and the product will be launched in Switzerland by Swiss Pharma GmbH, with which Venus has a marketing tie-up, it said.

"The launch of this product will add to the company's top line and bottom line in the coming quarters," it said.

Venus Remedies has already received more than 20 marketing approvals for Gemcitabine injection from various countries. The product is being sold in the UK, Poland and Germany.

Gemcitabine is an anti-cancer drug used for the treatment of a variety of cancerous conditions, including the cancer of the lungs, pancreas, bladder and breast. 

Cancer Genetics Inc. Completes Acquisition of BioServe India

Cancer Genetics Inc. Completes Acquisition of BioServe India

Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq; CGIX), an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, closed the announced acquisition of BioServe Biotechnologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., a premier genomics services provider serving both the research and clinical markets in India.

BioServe India, which operates out of a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art genomics facility in Hyderabad, has serviced over 200 clients with best-in-class genomic services, including next-generation sequencing, genotyping and DNA synthesis. CGI will benefit from immediate revenue through BioServe India's long-term contracts with academic and research institutions and its capabilities in genetic research, test development and genomic analysis.

BioServe India's clients include some of the leaders in the Indian life sciences industry, including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, NATCO Pharmaceuticals, Piramal Life Sciences, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.

"We are excited to be joining Cancer Genetics," said Venkatadri Bobba, general partner of Ventureast, India's premier venture capital fund and a board member at BioServe India. "This merger will allow us to improve patient care in India by delivering cutting-edge, patented cancer diagnostic technologies and allow us to offer an even broader range of state-of-the-art services to biopharma customers, hospitals and academic research institutions."

India is recognized as a high-growth market for molecular diagnostics and oncology services. More than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in India each year, and incidence rates are expected to rise by more than 72 percent by 2025. Additionally, according to Frost and Sullivan, healthcare spending is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 17 percent, reaching $160 billion by 2017.

CGI's CEO, Panna Sharma, said the acquisition places the company in a unique position to meet the growing need for genomic-based cancer diagnostics in this market. He anticipates wide adoption of CGI's proprietary tests for non-Hodgkins lymphomas and leukemias, kidney cancer and cervical cancer. In particular, the acquisition positions CGI to revolutionize cervical cancer screening and treatment in India, where 123,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, he said.

"We now have a growing pipeline of potential clients and collaborators for our non-invasive cervical cancer test in India, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women, accounting for 25 percent of global cervical cancer deaths," Sharma said. "FHACT® will provide physicians in India with critical genomic information to provide improved screening for cervical cancer in both urban and rural settings."

The expansion into India will also allow CGI to leverage its resources and scale its operations, while strengthening its capabilities in molecular testing, DNA synthesis, biomarker analysis and next-generation sequencing, Sharma said. He described the Hyderabad laboratory as an important resource that will allow CGI to access high-growth markets for oncology diagnostics and reduce costs associated with product manufacturing, test development and genomic data analysis.

CGI acquired BioServe India for approximately $1.9 million, largely in CGIX stock and other deferred consideration. Under the terms of the agreement, BioServe India will be a wholly owned subsidiary of CGI that will be renamed Cancer Genetics India. CGI plans on retaining BioServe India's 33 employees, and expanding and strengthening the team.

"This acquisition is an important milestone for CGI, as we now have the clinical diagnostics infrastructure and resources to deliver critical genomic oncology services at a time when India has placed a high priority on expanding its healthcare capabilities," Sharma said.

Frightening fact: India likely to witness cancer patients growing 300 times more within 10 yrs

Frightening fact: India likely to witness cancer patients growing 300 times more within 10 yrs

urrently, around 25 million people of all ages are afflicted by cancer in the country. However, the number is increasing day by day with 8 to 10 million new patients being added to the dreaded list, say experts. The number of cancer patients in Vidarbha is highest but the region lacks Linear Accelerator Unit facility. Moreover, there are only 2000 Radiation Oncologists in entire India as against the requirement of 6000.

Nagpur News: Maharashtra Chapter and Association of Radiation Oncologists of India organized a two-day conference on recent advances in the Radiation Oncology field. The conference was held in the memory of late Dr. J S Pinto of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Padmashree Dr. Ketayuna Dinshaw.

Currently, around 25 million people of all ages are afflicted by cancer in the country. However, the number is increasing day by day with 8 to 10 million new patients being added to the dreaded list, say experts. The situation becomes worse when the number of insufficient doctors to treat these cancer patients is taken into consideration. If the experts are to be believed, then there is drastic need to have around 6000 Radiation Oncologists in the country. On the contrary, there are only 2000 Radiation Oncologist doctors available. Cancer is spreading rapidly in Asia continent and the number of the cancer patients is expected to increase 300 times within 10 years.

Talking to Nagpur Today, Dr. Ramesh Billimanga of Karnataka said, “Informal Radiation Technique (IRT), image Guidance Modulation Therapy (IGMT) and Stereotactic Radio Therapy (SRS) are the latest techniques which are being used to treat the cancer patients in the country. The benefit of these therapies is that the normal tissues do not get affected during the treatment which was till the case in older treatment therapies,” said Dr. Ramesh Billimanga.

Expressing his views, Secretary of MH AROI, Mumbai, Umesh Mahantasetti said that infrastructure in rural areas should be the focus of the Central and State Government and they should work for this delicate issue together. Currently there are 385 radio therapy centers in India which should be increased to 12000-13000, asserted the Radiation Oncologist and added that insufficient manpower is also a serious issue as every Radiation Oncologist has the burden of many patients.

Dr. K. V. Kannan of Tata Memorial Hospital said, “The number of cancer patients is rapidly growing in the country and the future will witness more and more cancer patients in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). He added that the cancer patient should not travel more than 20 km. However, unfortunately, there are hundreds of poor people who are forced to travel long distance as there are no facilities near their place for treatment. In Vidarbha, the situation is far more disturbing, said Dr K. V. Kannan. The number of cancer patients in Vidarbha is highest in the country but still there is not a single Linear Accelerator Unit which is shameful, lamented Dr. K. V. Kannan.

Cancer Genetics Inc. Completes Acquisition of BioServe India, a Premier Genomics and Next-Generation Sequencing Company

Cancer Genetics Inc. Completes Acquisition of BioServe India, a Premier Genomics and Next-Generation Sequencing Company

Cancer Genetics Now Positioned to Participate in High-Growth Indian Diagnostics Market, Where More Than 1 Million New Cancer Cases Are Diagnosed Each Year

Cancer Genetics Derives Immediate Revenue Through BioServe India's Clients, Which Include Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Piramal Life Sciences, NATCO Pharma, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology

Cancer Genetics Will Develop BioServe India's 14,000-Square-Foot Accredited Laboratory into a Center of Excellence for Biomarker Analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing and Oncology Diagnostics

RUTHERFORD, N.J. and HYDERABAD, India, Aug. 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGIX) ("CGI" or "The Company"), an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, today closed the announced acquisition of BioServe Biotechnologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., a premier genomics services provider serving both the research and clinical markets in India.

BioServe India, which operates out of a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art genomics facility in Hyderabad, has serviced over 200 clients with best-in-class genomic services, including next-generation sequencing, genotyping and DNA synthesis. CGI will benefit from immediate revenue through BioServe India's long-term contracts with academic and research institutions and its capabilities in genetic research, test development and genomic analysis.

BioServe India's clients include some of the leaders in the Indian life sciences industry, including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, NATCO Pharmaceuticals, Piramal Life Sciences, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.

"We are excited to be joining Cancer Genetics," said Venkatadri Bobba, general partner of Ventureast, India's premier venture capital fund and a board member at BioServe India. "This merger will allow us to improve patient care in India by delivering cutting-edge, patented cancer diagnostic technologies and allow us to offer an even broader range of state-of-the-art services to biopharma customers, hospitals and academic research institutions."

India is recognized as a high-growth market for molecular diagnostics and oncology services. More than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in India each year, and incidence rates are expected to rise by more than 72 percent by 2025. Additionally, according to Frost and Sullivan, healthcare spending is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 17 percent, reaching $160 billion by 2017.

CGI's CEO, Panna Sharma, said the acquisition places the company in a unique position to meet the growing need for genomic-based cancer diagnostics in this market. He anticipates wide adoption of CGI's proprietary tests for non-Hodgkins lymphomas and leukemias, kidney cancer and cervical cancer. "In particular, the acquisition positions CGI to revolutionize cervical cancer screening and treatment in India, where 123,000 new cases are diagnosed annually," he said.

"We now have a growing pipeline of potential clients and collaborators for our non-invasive cervical cancer test in India, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women, accounting for 25 percent of global cervical cancer deaths," Sharma said. "FHACT® will provide physicians in India with critical genomic information to provide improved screening for cervical cancer in both urban and rural settings."

"The expansion into India will also allow CGI to leverage its resources and scale its operations, while strengthening its capabilities in molecular testing, DNA synthesis, biomarker analysis and next-generation sequencing," Sharma said. He described the Hyderabad laboratory as an important resource that will allow CGI to access high-growth markets for oncology diagnostics and reduce costs associated with product manufacturing, test development and genomic data analysis.

CGI acquired BioServe India for approximately $1.9 million, largely in CGIX stock and other deferred consideration. Under the terms of the agreement, BioServe India will be a wholly owned subsidiary of CGI that will be renamed Cancer Genetics India. CGI plans on retaining BioServe India's 33 employees, and expanding and strengthening the team.

"This acquisition is an important milestone for CGI, as we now have the clinical diagnostics infrastructure and resources to deliver critical genomic oncology services at a time when India has placed a high priority on expanding its healthcare capabilities," Sharma said.

About Cancer Genetics

Cancer Genetics, Inc. is an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, servicing some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Our tests target cancers that are difficult to diagnose and predict treatment outcomes. These cancers include hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. We also offer a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology-focused tests and laboratory services that provide critical genomic information to healthcare professionals, as well as biopharma and biotech companies. Our state-of-the-art reference lab is focused entirely on maintaining clinical excellence and is both CLIA certified and CAP accredited and has licensure from several states including New York State. We have established strong research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute. For further information, please see www.cancergenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential opportunities for Cancer Genetics, Inc. products and services, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights and other risks discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31 2013 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Cancer Genetics disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Breast cancer in women under 40 on rise

Breast cancer in women under 40 on rise

Oncologists say incidence of breast cancer in young women is steadily rising. Though according to scientific journals only 5% to 7% of women under the age of 40 suffer from breast cancer, oncologists here say the incidence could be as high as 15% to 20%.

Dr P Guhan, oncologist at Sri Ramakrishna Medical Hospital, says breast cancer continues to be the most common kind of cancer among women.

It accounts for around 26.1% of the cancer cases among women in Coimbatore. However, the alarming factor is that at least 15% of them occur in women under 40. "Now we see women coming in their late twenties and thirties with breast cancer," says Dr Guhan. "They usually settle down late and decide to have a child in their thirties. Within a couple of years, they come in with cancer," he adds. Dr Prasanth Ganesan, assistant professor of medical oncology at Cancer Institute, says, "We are seeing an increase in younger cancer patients. We are seeing many 30year-olds with breast cancer now."

Doctors say the days of recommending a mammogram once a year only after a woman touches the age of 40 are almost gone. "Now we advise even younger women to look for lumps in their breasts and visit a doctor immediately," he says.

Breast cancer is more difficult to detect in younger women because they have dense breasts. "By the time a young woman detects a lump in her breast, the cancer is often at an advanced stage," says an article on Breast Cancer in Young women, published by the online health website Web MD.

"Often the mammography fails to pick up lumps in 30year-olds because they have dense breasts. It works most accurately with women above the age of 50 because their breast density goes down and fat density increases," says Dr Vijayakumar, oncologist at KG Hospitals.

Experts are yet to ascertain why younger women are falling victim to breast cancer, although they have noticed some patterns in their occurrence.

"Many young women suffering from cancer come from families where there is a history of cancer," says Dr Vijayakumar. "It's a demographic observation, but we haven't been able to figure out a reason for it yet," says Dr V Sridevi, professor of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Institute.

Doctors suspect that improved diagnosis and the increasing population could have something to do with this.

"It could also be because of more awareness and better diagnostic facilities. India has a younger population when compared to the West, so it may look like many 30 and 40-yearolds are suffering from cancer," says Dr Ganesan. Cervical cancer which was the most common kind of cancer earlier is now more common in rural areas, while breast cancer is more common in urban areas.

Succeeding in Global Strategic Marketing for Strong Oncology Launches

Succeeding in Global Strategic Marketing for Strong Oncology Launches

Managing all the aspects of successfully launching a new oncology product is a daunting endeavor that often falls to the Global Strategic Marketing (GSM) function. As the oncology market continues to be a rapid growth area for the biopharmaceutical industry, leaders must continually assess their budgets, investment strategies, staffing, structure and scope of services.

According to recent research Global Strategic Marketing organizations are shifting their budgets to better fit their current needs. Budget increases are anticipated by as much as 73% of benchmark participants for activities supporting the Oncology pipeline. Few participants project any decreases in their budgets for this area.

The related report, "Oncology Global Strategic Marketing: Benchmarking Budget Levels & Service Scope," will help GSM leaders in oncology to better evaluate and improve their global strategic marketing programs. The study will allow leaders to understand the investment levels, marketing activities, timing, and structures needed to successfully steer products and pipeline programs through the complex oncology marketplace.

The 75-page study provides current benchmarks, such as:

GSM staffing benchmarks by role, by development phase, by number of oncology programs and per $100M in oncology sales

Outsourced and in-house labor dedicated to traditional and emerging markets

GSM organizational structure

Role of the GSM function for activities such as market intelligence, marketing, advocacy and KOL management

Spending benchmarks around key GSM activities within marketing, market intelligence and advocacy

Oncology GSM spending by phase of clinical development 

The study engaged GSM leaders supporting Oncology organizations at 17 companies. The study included both large, established and small, emerging Oncology companies to provide the broadest insights. Data is presented for large and emerging company segments throughout the report. 

To access the full report, or to download a complimentary summary containing insights found in this report, click on the following link: http://www.best-in-class.com/rr1307.htm

For more information on other recent primary research studies, contact us at 919.403.0251. For related research, visit our Best Practices, LLC website at http://www.best-in-class.com/.

ABOUT BEST PRACTICES, LLC

Best Practices, LLC is a leading benchmarking, consulting and advisory services firm serving biopharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. Best Practices, LLC's clients include all the top 10 and 48 of the top 50 global healthcare companies. The firm conducts primary research and consulting using its comprehensive proprietary benchmarking tools and analysis. The operational insights, findings and analysis form the basis for our Benchmarking Reports, databases and advisory services to support executives in commercial and R&D operations. Best Practices, LLC believes in the profound principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class companies.