Posts Tagged ‘bio’
Intellectual property and diagnostics: the implications of pharmacogenomics
In light of concerns over access to diagnostic tests due to the perceived threat of DNA patents, this project was commissioned to investigate the implications of molecular diagnostic patents for the development and clinical use of pharmacogenetic testing. The project provides analysis of: (more…)
Improving pharmacovigilance in Europe: Cost-effectiveness analysis of CYP2D6 and TPMT genotyping in general clinical practice
The possibility to better understand the diversity of people’s responsiveness to medicines, based on their genetic profiles, holds a great promise for the future. One of the most promising applications of this knowledge, that all together can be identified with the term of pharmacogenomics, is the determination of the genetic variants of some enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, among which some important examples are thiopurine methyltransferase and the cytochrome p450 family. Some of these genetic variants are associated with an increased likelihood of side-effects that affect the quality of life of the patient, might be detrimental to the levels of compliance to a certain pharmacological treatment and are the cause of further resource consumption. (more…)
Preparatory economic analysis of the value-adding processes within integrated supply chains in food and agriculture
As part of IPTS’s objective to support DG Agriculture and Rural Development a preparatory economic analysis of the value adding process in the food chain was carried out which focuses on the effects of quality assurance and certification. The study provides an overview and critical review of existing economic studies on food quality assurance (QA) and certification schemes. This results in a better understanding of the impact of such schemes on market prices and market positions and the costs and benefits for the different actors in the agri-food chain. The second objective was to make recommendations for a suitable research methodology for in-depth analysis of the value-adding process in the food chain and the effects of QA and certification schemes. The project produced four deliverables: an overview, a structured inventory of studies, an analytical framework and an assessment of research methodologies and data constraints. (more…)