Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City 2012 | November 28-30

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INNOvATOR PREsENTATION
INNOvATOR PREsENTATION
1:45 PM – 2:10 PM UriS/JULLiArd
DART Therapeutics
DART Therapeutics, LLC is an innovative, new model biotech designed to address the challenges of drug
development in pediatric rare diseases. DART is a partnership between patient foundations and industry
professionals. It is funded by two patient associations in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Charley’s Fund
and Nash Avery), and is managed by a team of seasoned industry professionals. Since presenting at
Partnering for Cures in 2010, DART has acquired numerous therapeutic assets, completed a biomarker
validation study that will benefit the entire DMD community, and expanded the management team.
The DART model is a promising new way to navigate the “valley of death.”
Presented by:
gene WilliaMs, Chairman and CEO, DART Therapeutics, LLC
2:15 PM – 2:40 PM BrOAdwAy
Life Raft Group: GIST Collaborative Tissue Bank
Fresh, frozen tissue, which is difficult to come by, as it is collected at the time of surgery, is considered to
be the standard for patient tissue study. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is much easier to access
and use for large-scale studies, but is limited as a model for research testing. The Life Raft Group utilizes
both methods of tissue collection in order to get the most benefit from the tissue. The presenter will explain
the tissue process in detail and how it is transformative, collaborative, and employs de-identified patient
histories to further enhance research findings.
Presented by:
norMan J. scherzer, Executive Director, The Life Raft Group