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NCGR Collaborates with Duke University Medical Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Eli Lilly and Co., INCAPS and ProSanos to Develop Novel Diagnostic Tests for Sepsis and Pneumonia
[September 22, 2005]

NCGR Collaborates with Duke University Medical Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Eli Lilly and Co., INCAPS and ProSanos to Develop Novel Diagnostic Tests for Sepsis and Pneumonia


SANTA FE, N.M. --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 22, 2005 -- The National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR) announced today that it has been awarded $2.7M by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to develop novel diagnostic tests for severe sepsis and community acquired pneumonia (CAP). This program, titled Community Acquired Pneumonia & Sepsis Outcome Diagnostics (CAPSOD), is a multidisciplinary collaboration involving investigators at six organizations: NCGR; Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit; Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis; Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences, Indianapolis; and ProSanos Corp., La Jolla, Calif.



In the United States, Community Acquired Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death and the No. 1 cause of death from infectious diseases. Of the 5.6 million annual cases of CAP, 1.1 million require hospitalization for intensive therapy. Sepsis, commonly known as blood poisoning or bloodstream infection, is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 cause of death in noncardiac intensive care units. Incidence of sepsis is increasing by 9% each year and mortality rates vary between 25 and 50%. Cost to the United States health care system exceeds $20 billion each year.

In patients with suspected sepsis or early CAP, rapid identification of patients who will develop severe sepsis or CAP is critical for effective management and positive outcome. The CAPSOD study is designed to identify novel tests for early diagnosis of severe sepsis and CAP. When performed in patients at the earliest stages of disease, these tests will have prognostic value, rapidly identifying those who will have poor outcomes or complicated courses.


"The work done at the National Center for Genome Research promotes innovative techniques that better address some of our most pressing health problems," said U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who was instrumental in founding the Center. "The grant will allow this outstanding partnership to fight two of the country's top 10 deadliest diseases. With early diagnosis, patients may receive immediate treatment to stop their situation from worsening and more quickly resume a healthy life."

CAPSOD is a five-year program that will prospectively enroll patients with sepsis and CAP at Duke University Medical Center and Henry Ford Hospital. The study will use advanced bioinformatic and proteomic technologies to identify specific protein changes, or biomarkers, in patient blood samples that predict outcome in sepsis and CAP. Development of biomarker-based tests will permit patient selection for appropriate disposition, such as the intensive care unit, and use of intensive medical therapies, thereby reducing mortality and increasing effectiveness of resource allocation.

About NCGR

NCGR is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving human health and nutrition through collaborative research at the intersection of bioscience, computing and mathematics. www.ncgr.org

About Duke University Medical Center

Duke University Medical Center is located on the Duke University campus. Duke operates one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country, with more than $431 million in sponsored research annually. It is widely recognized as the leading medical center in the Southeast, with a health system that includes a network of hospitals, physician practices, home care services, and other providers throughout central North Carolina and beyond. www.dukehealth.org

About Henry Ford Hospital

A 903-bed tertiary care hospital, education and research complex, Henry Ford Hospital is recognized for clinical excellence and innovations in the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics and rehabilitation, organ transplants, and treatment for prostate, breast and lung cancers, among others. Its Emergency Department is a Level 1 trauma center.

About Eli Lilly and Co.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. www.lilly.com

About INCAPS

The Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences is a contract research organization specializing in protein analysis and proteomics. INCAPS applies a diverse set of cutting-edge analytical technologies, high-performance computing and biostatistics to provide services in expert experimental design, protein analysis, untargeted and targeted proteomics, and technology validation. www.indianacaps.com

About ProSanos

ProSanos Corp. specializes in the capture, integration and analysis of health care data. We help the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries -- as well as government, researchers, and health care providers -- turn data into usable knowledge that helps advance patient safety and care. www.prosanos.com

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