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Molecular Diagnostics continues to be the most dynamic field in laboratory medicine and is the foundational element of catchphrases that capture our attention, specifically personalized medicine and companion diagnostics. "Personalized" refers to drugs being developed that target specific changes at the molecular level common to many tumors (or other diseases). Infectious disease physicians use combination antiretroviral therapy to ensure the viruses in the bloodstream cannot escape the attack by mutation that renders one drug ineffective; two others are simultaneously "on board" to thwart the viral genome's attempt at adaptation. Oncology drugs will ultimately be used in a similar, combinatorial way. The oncologist will know which drugs to choose after a companion diagnostic molecular test that reveals a tumor's genetic "Achilles heel" is performed in the clinical laboratory. That's personalized medicine with molecular diagnostics at the core. To add to the dynamism, Next Generation Sequencing, a technology now about half a decade old is threatening to turn the diagnostics field on its head. The day is not far off when the entire genetic blueprint of a tumor can be generated quickly and cheaply. Applications for "Next Gen" Sequencing abound and are affecting not only the diagnostics realm but also the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately medical care in general.

Thus, it is not that the lines between diagnostics and therapeutics are blurring but rather, highly specific therapeutics will be administered as a direct result of diagnostic test results that inform therapy. This is why we thought the readers of our diagnostics industry newsletter would be interested in our interview with Dr. Vijay Aggarwal.

The defining component is...
               talented individuals
           
                                                                                                        Interview by Adam Slone.

Vijay Aggarwal has a long history in the pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostics fields, from executive vice president at SmithKlein Beecham Laboratories, to president of AAI Development Services, to president and CEO of Aureon Laboratories, and now to CEO of VaxiGenix, an early-stage therapeutic vaccine company developing treatments for colorectal cancer.

As a partner at the Channel Group, a life sciences venture development and management firm, Dr. Aggarwal sees doors opening for not only new ventures, but also talent:

“Although the bar for new investment may seem high, in reality, there is plenty of capital available for diagnostic company investment. The defining component is access to talented individuals with a track record of success.”

And although he also serves on the boards of many privately held diagnostic companies, like Genisphere, Hycor Biomedical, and Mitomics, he still finds time to fashion a fine cup or a bowl, as our Slone Partners interview reveals.

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Slone Partners is a premier national recruitment firm that specializes in delivering top executive, management and sales talent for the diagnostic laboratory industry, with an additional expertise in molecular diagnostics and anatomic pathology. We have a ten-year track record of working with cutting edge, demanding organizations to quickly attract and hire the best industry talent.

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