January 11, 2008

Molecular Summit 2008 Hosted by Dark Report Announcement and Recent Dark Daily Posting

BY Dr. Keith J. Kaplan

Powerhouse Pathologists Schwartz, Friedberg, & Friedman Assess Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics and molecular imaging are probably the hottest clinical specialties in genomic medicine today. Monthly and weekly, in vitro diagnostics (IVD) firms and biotech companies announce new molecular markers. Wall Street investors are crowding into the molecular space, looking for opportunities to profit.

For pathologists and clinical lab directors, the march to molecular medicine is swiftly overturning many established lab testing protocols and replacing them with diagnostic tests that have increased sensitivity and deliver results increasingly in real time. Three pathologists with an understanding of the strategic implications of these trends for the profession of pathology are Jared N. Shwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Richard C. Friedberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bruce R. Friedman. M.D.

Jared N. Schwartz, M.D., current President of the College of American Pathologists wrote last month that “We have the mind-boggling opportunity to practice in an era of incision-free surgery, virtual histology, molecular medicine, and tumor-specific in vivo biomarkers. The value of traditional pathology is not diminished, but it is no longer sufficient. We must explore, build new homes, and upgrade our intellectual equipment now!”

Another pathologist at the front edge of molecular diagnostics is Richard C. Friedberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Pathology at Tufts University Medical School in Springfield, Massachusetts, believes that more integration of in vivo and in vitro diagnostic services will happen as new molecular technologies find clinical acceptance.

These observations are echoed by the prediction of Bruce A. Friedman, M.D., Active Emeritus Professor, Department of Pathology, at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In his LabSoftNews blog he has written that “I have begun to use the term in-vitro/in-vivo diagnostics (IV2D) to refer to the blending, or even merger, of the clinical labs, pathology, and radiology. The ultimate goal of such an organizational change would be to facilitate the emergence of a new breed of specialist, the diagnostic hybridist, to diagnose disease, assess the prognosis of disease, and assist clinicians in their choice of therapy.”

You can hear all three of these nationally-recognized pathologists, along with some of the nation’s leading molecular radiologists, at the upcoming Molecular Summit 2008, scheduled for February 5-6, 2008 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The focus of this first-ever gathering of molecular radiologists and molecular pathologists is to explore the current and future state of molecular testing and likely paths for the integration of molecular imaging and molecular diagnostics.

That’s a hot topic, particularly since Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) invested $14 billion in the past 24 months to acquire DPC, Bayer Diagnostics, and Dade Behring and become one of the world’s largest IVD companies. Siemens now tells the world about its vision of integrating in vivo, in vitro, and informatics.

Integration of in vivo and in vitro testing is both a threat and an opportunity for every pathologist and pathology group practice. That’s why Molecular Summit 2008 provides you with a powerful opportunity to hear, to meet, and to interact with first-movers and early-adopters in molecular imaging and in molecular diagnostics. Act now to reserve your place at Molecular Summit 2008. Plus, there’s an early bird registration discount when you act today. Hit this link for full details and to register online (or paste this URL in your browser: http://www.molecular-summit.com).

Make your plans today and we’ll see you at Molecular Summit 2008 on February 5-6, 2008!

Molecular Summit 2008—Integration of Molecular Imaging and Molecular Diagnostics
February 5-6, 2008
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Full details about Molecular Summit 2008

Molecular Summit 2008 Presentation Topics and Speakers

Register for Molecular Summit 2008

Remember! Early Bird Registration discount expires January 18. Act now to reserve your place!

Molecular Summit 2008 Hotel Information and Room Reservations

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