Session Abstract – PMWC 2018 Silicon Valley

Session Synopsis: In a clinical setting, DNA is an established molecule for use in the diagnostic journey of disease identification and monitoring. RNA, however, currently shows limited clinical use, mostly due to inherent challenges related to instability, handling and interpretation in the lab. Nevertheless, the potential value of measuring gene expression, as both a first line or even add-on testing protocol, via RNA-seq is tremendous. This coffee talk will center around the potential gains, as well as the challenges, of developing a RNA-based test for the clinic.

Session Chair Profile

M.S., Global Marketing Director-Cancer Genetics, Agilent Technologies
Biography

Rebecca is responsible for the strategic direction and day to day management of cancer genetics, NGS technology and molecular pathology teams. Rebecca joined Agilent in July of 2014 bringing more than 20 years of expertise gained from leading companies in life sciences, diagnostics and routine clinical testing. She received a Master’s Degree in Molecular Genetics from Wake Forest University. Prior to joining QIAGEN, Asuragen and Affymetrix to lead their marketing programs, Rebecca spent several years running a high-throughput, clinical molecular oncology laboratory.

Speaker Profile

MSc, Chief Clinical and Business Development Officer, Agendia
Biography

At Agendia Bas leads the clinical development of gene signatures in breast and colon cancer. He was instrumental in introducing MammaPrint in the prospective randomized controlled MINDACT trial and the ISPY-1 and ISPY-2 trials that are designed to bring new breast cancer drugs to high risk patients faster. Most recently his clinical team enabled the publication of evidence for de-escalation of adjuvant endocrine treatment in Ultra Low Risk Breast cancer. His BD team collaborates with Biotech and Pharmaceutical companies in the development of companion diagnostics. He co-founded the liquid biopsy company thromboDx 2011 which was sold to Illumina in 2016. Bas joined Agendia shortly after it was founded in 2004, co-founded Agendia Inc in 2008 and relocated to the US from Amsterdam in 2012. He has over 20 years experience in biochemistry and molecular diagnostics.

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