Pathology Researcher obtains $200,000 to study the procoagulant cofactor, factor VIII

2011 June 27

YM Biosciences, a Mississauga based biotechnology company, has partnered with the Queen's genomics facility through an agreement with Harriet Feilotter to investigate a new small molecule drug against myeloproliferative disease.

The drug, CYT387, targets JAK2, which is often mutated in this disorder. Using patient samples taken at time points following treatment, our lab is carrying out quantitative JAK2 mutation assays to help to determine whether or not the level of mutated JAK2 in the blood of patients correlates with response to the drug.

The study should be completed by 2012. We anticipate that success with this study may pave the way for future interactions with this Ontario-based company.

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