Global Health

In recent years alternative research models, such as Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP's), have emerged to meet global health demands for the development of therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostic tests not generally pursued by traditional drug development companies.  Additionally, new funding sources such as The Gates Foundation have enabled researchers to apply emerging technologies such as transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to advance the development process.

Biomarkers are of particular interest to these development projects due to the need to develop safe and efficacious products with maximum efficiency. 

Biomarkers for Tuberculosis

BG Medicine is at the forefront of this effort having completed two biomarker discovery projects for the Global Alliance for Tuberculosis Drug Development (TB Alliance).  As the initial step in a larger biomarker roadmap for TB, BG Medicine has established a leadership position in this important research field.

Early response biomarkers provide a potential way to dramatically reduce the cost and time required for clinical trials of new TB therapeutics.  The current clinical trial process for TB requires multiple years to conclude whether the therapy was effective or not.  This lengthy and difficult process is a barrier to the development of new therapies that could treat millions of patients worldwide.