GE and Glaxo ally to develop molecular medicine

GE Medical Systems has signed a broad collaborative research agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to bring clinical molecular imaging technologies into the pharmaceutical development process. Their first project will be to advance the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). GE is aggressively pursuing noninvasive molecular imaging to detect and monitor disease with specific molecular markers. GlaxoSmithKline has expertise in respiratory science, molecular medicine, and drug development for diseases including COPD. Early research will be done at GE’s Corporate Research and Development site in Schenectady, NY, in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline’s COPD Clinical Network. Together, the companies hope to develop new medicines and better means for diagnosing and treating COPD.