Diasome Pharmaceuticals, a diabetes-oriented research sponsor, announced four abstracts have been accepted at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Diabetes Association, scheduled for June 6 -10, 2008, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, CA. The abstracts highlight the company’s proprietary oral and injectable insulin product. Here’s the release.

GenoLogics, the developer of translational research informatics software, announced that the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has selected GenoLogics to collaborate with the company to develop an integrated biorepository and biomedical software for the center’s translational and outcomes research group.  The GenoLogics software is being provided to the Cancer Research Center by the Canary Foundation, a nonprofit, tax-exempt public charity committed to the development of early-detection tests for solid-tumor cancers. “To assist with realizing our vision for translational research, we needed a suite of informatics solutions that enables us to work seamlessly with clinical and laboratory researchers, as well as patients and healthy individuals,” says Nicole Urban, head of the translational and outcomes research group. Here’s the release.

Google Spreadsheets has an ingenious method to show a graphical gauge based on data in a spreadsheet. Each gauge has a green, yellow and red range. So-called visualization “gadgets” associated with the company’s online Excel-killer appear to surpass the interactivity, functionality and ease of use of Microsoft’s desktop program.

Clinquest Group appointed Louis Van de Ven chief executive and chief medical officer of its Clinquest Europe subsidiary. He joins the firm from Merck in the Netherlands, where he was responsible for European clinical research and medical affairs. Van de Ven has over twenty years of experience managing Phase I-IV clinical trials, including many pivotal studies resulting in marketing approvals of cardiovascular, gynecological, oncological and immunological drugs. Here’s the release.

Pharm-Olam International (POI) and MB Quest (MBQ), a member of the POI Group, announced the opening of a third Russian office in St. Petersburg. “With offices in Moscow, Novosibirsk, and now St. Petersburg, we can offer sponsors cost effective coverage in the three most populated areas in Russia,” said Eugene Barg, president of MBQ. The St. Petersburg office provides convenient access to several therapeutic hospitals in the second largest metro area in Russia. The firm expects to have 20 clinical staff at the location by the end of 2008. Here’s the release.

Merck is doing a $100 million deal with Ranbaxy, this investment site notes.

Chiltern announced the appointment of Oscar Podestá to the role of general manager of Latin America. He joins Chiltern with more than 9 years experience in clinical research. “I am very pleased to join Chiltern at this exciting juncture for the company,” he said. “We are delighted that Oscar has joined Chiltern,” added John Vann, executive VP, Americas.

Almac Clinical Technologies announced a burst of recent contract signings that total $12 million in value and include a 20,000-patient study. Almac Clinical Technologies president Jim Murphy says current industry dynamics are in alignment with his company’s strengths: “We are seeing an increase in the number of large, global, complex trials as well as smaller adaptive clinical trials, each requiring sophisticated randomization and drug management approaches. Sponsors seem to be turning to experienced global firms, such as Almac, with strong project management expertise and technologies to make those trials successful.” The firm also reports demand for its quick-start offering, which requires less custom programming. Here’s the release.

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