Walter Koch,
Vice President,
Roche Molecular Systems
Walter H. Koch, Ph.D., has been in his current role of Vice President and Head of Global Research for Roche Molecular Systems since 2005. Dr. Koch is responsible for all RMD research and early development activities, including research efforts associated with biomarker discovery and validation, the development of new technologies with diagnostics potential such as next generation sequencing, and continuing improvements in the performance of existing real time PCR products and technologies. He joined RMS in 1998 as a Research Leader to evaluate the feasibility of developing microarray-based pharmacogenetic assays for clinical diagnostic use, resulting in the launch of the AmpliChip® CYP450 assay. From 2001-2004 he served as the Senior Director of the Pharmacogenetics Department, leading six scientific teams. In this role, he was responsible for development of genetic and pharmacogenomic assays using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray, linear array, and real-time PCR technologies and platforms. Prior to joining Roche he held several positions within the US FDA, including Acting Lab Chief of Immunochemistry and Research Biologist in the CBER’s Division of Transfusion Transmitted Disease, and Research Biologist positions in the Division of Molecular Biological Research & Evaluation, and the Division of Toxicology within CFSAN. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from Memphis State University, a Ph.D. in Toxicology and Pharmacology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.
Liquid Biopsy Tests Move Towards Routine Patient Care and Management
Thursday, 29 September 2016 at 08:30
Add to Calendar ▼2016-09-29 08:30:002016-09-29 09:30:00Europe/LondonLiquid Biopsy Tests Move Towards Routine Patient Care and ManagementLiquid Biopsies and Minimally-Invasive Diagnostics 2016 in San Diego, California, USASan Diego, California, USASELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Over the past decade several tissue-based companion diagnostic assays have gained FDA approval in conjunction with targeted cancer therapies, resulting in improved treatment options for many cancer patients. Despite various international guidelines, not all patients are tested, due in part to limited tissue availability, or health status limits on acquiring a re-biopsy sample. This has spurred development of so-called liquid biopsy tests which use body fluids such as plasma to ascertain tumor mutational status in circulating cell free DNA originating from tumors, or circulating tumor cells. On June 1, 2016 the FDA-approved the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test v2 real-time PCR test for the qualitative detection of defined mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. For the first time the test can be used with both formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue (FFPET) as well as circulating-free tumor DNA (cfDNA) from plasma derived from EDTA anti-coagulated peripheral whole blood. The test is indicated as a companion diagnostic to aid in selecting NSCLC patients for treatment with the targeted therapies including TARCEVA®. This milestone heralds the first of many to come that will provide additional opportunities for cancer patients to be evaluated with blood samples for treatment with targeted therapies. Analogous to HIV viral load testing, further clinical development will likely extend the use of such blood tests to allow monitoring of initial drug response as well as disease progression and/or development of specific resistance mutations. Collectively these advances promise to provide important clinical information not easily obtained by repeat tissue biopsy approaches.
Add to Calendar ▼2016-09-29 00:00:002016-09-30 00:00:00Europe/LondonLiquid Biopsies and Minimally-Invasive Diagnostics 2016Liquid Biopsies and Minimally-Invasive Diagnostics 2016 in San Diego, California, USASan Diego, California, USASELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Add to Calendar ▼2016-09-29 08:30:002016-09-29 09:30:00Europe/LondonLiquid Biopsy Tests Move Towards Routine Patient Care and ManagementLiquid Biopsies and Minimally-Invasive Diagnostics 2016 in San Diego, California, USASan Diego, California, USASELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
