Senior Experts from Nordic Bioscience, Biomarker Strategies and Pharma on Panel WALTHAM, Mass., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI) announced today that CEO Lewis H. Bender will moderate and co-present a panel discussion titled "Integrating Genetic Markers in Drug Development: How Personalized Medicine is Evolving Predictive Treatment" at the BIO International Convention, being held May 18-21, 2009 in Atlanta, GA. The panel discussion will be held Tuesday, May 19 from 8-9:30 a.m. in Room B304 of the Georgia World Congress Center (Building B). Co-presenting alongside Interleukin Genetics will be Reid Leonard, Ph.D., Executive Director of Licensing and External Research, Merck Research Laboratories; Douglas Clark, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Biomarker Strategies; and Morten Karsdal, Ph.D., Vice President, Research and Development, Nordic Bioscience. "Biomarkers can be effectively used to improve the success rate in drug development. Genetic biomarkers that can be used to screen and select for patients in clinical trials to improve likelihood of trial success and improve safety for patients can save costs and reduce the time needed to bring new compounds to market," said Mr. Bender. "We're pleased that the Biotechnology Industry Organization recognizes the importance of this topic by selecting this panel to present." The panel will provide expert insights, respectively, on integration and commercialization issues for biomarkers in drug development and how simple genetic tests and other types of biomarkers are poised to help curb an increasing innovation gap especially with regard to complex diseases. Discussion will focus on: -- The various different biomarker types that can be used effectively for drug development -- Genetic biomarkers, companion and triage diagnostics, and potential new applications for drug development for chronic disease -- Biomarkers in Oncology, and future and forward looking aspects of biomarkers in drug development -- Perspective of "Big Pharma" on use of molecular diagnostics in drug development, business models for incorporation of biomarkers, and reimbursement concerns and issues -- A case study on biomarkers in the development of new drugs About BIO BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. About Interleukin Genetics Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI), is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventative consumer products and genetic tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. Focused on the future of health and medicine, Interleukin Genetics uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and test innovative preventative and therapeutic products. Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin Genetics, its products and ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com/. About BioMarker Strategies BioMarker Strategies, a tissue-based cancer diagnostics company located at the Johns Hopkins Science +Technology Park, is developing the SnapPath(TM) biomarker testing system to quickly test and analyze a patient's live solid tumor sample at the point of care. The company is also developing a series of pathway-based, functional, ex vivo biomarker tests to help guide an oncologist's use of targeted cancer therapeutics. The SnapPath(TM) technology is also being designed to reduce patient waiting times for molecular diagnostic test results from several weeks to several hours. For more information about BioMarker Strategies, please visit our website at http://www.biomarkerstrategies.com/. DATASOURCE: Interleukin Genetics, Inc. CONTACT: Erin Walsh of Interleukin Genetics, Inc., +1-781-419-4707, , investors, Melanie Friedman of Stern Investor Relations for Interleukin Genetics, Inc., +1-212-362-1200, Web Site: http://www.ilgenetics.com/

Copyright