deCODE genetics (Nasdaq:DCGN) and Illumina, Inc. (Nasdaq:ILMN)
today announced the formation of a strategic alliance
under which the companies plan to co-develop and commercialize
DNA-based diagnostic tests in several major disease
areas. The alliance will employ Illumina’s platform
for high-multiplex single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
genotyping to develop tests for gene variants deCODE
has previously shown to have impact on the risk of
a growing number of common diseases with major public
health impact.
Under the terms of the agreement, Illumina will gain
access to disease-related biomarkers for joint validation
as diagnostic panels to be marketed and sold by Illumina
on its forthcoming BeadXpress platform. The companies
will share development costs and split the profits
from sales of the diagnostics tests.
The alliance will initially focus on the development,
validation and commercialization of specific diagnostic
tests for variants in genes involved in three disease-related
pathways:
- the gene-encoding leukotriene A4 hydrolase, linked
to heart attack;
- the gene-encoding transcription factor 7-like 2
(TCF7L2), linked to type 2 diabetes;
- the gene encoding BARD1, linked to breast cancer.
As part of the agreement, Illumina will install its
SNP genotyping platform at deCODE, enabling deCODE
to expand its contract genotyping business to offer
Illumina platform and assay technologies together with
deCODE’s proprietary analytical services for customers.
deCODE will utilize the Illumina platform to carry-out
high-density, whole-genome studies utilizing its comprehensive
population genetics resources in Iceland including
more than 100,000 participants in some 50 common diseases.
This effort, which will enhance deCODE’s proprietary
gene and drug target discovery work and may provide
genetic markers for additional diagnostic development,
will leverage Illumina’s Sentrix® HumanHap BeadChips;
Infinium™ assay and LIMS (laboratory information management
system); as well as analysis and visualization tools
from Illumina’s BeadStudio software.
“This alliance enables us to strengthen our global
leadership in using human genetics to discover and
develop better medicine - accelerating our target discovery
work and enabling us to generate near-term product
revenue from the development of diagnostics. Our recent
discoveries have demonstrated the power of applying
high-density SNP genotyping to our population resources.
We are very impressed with the quality of Illumina’s
SNP platform and look forward to working with such
an agile and effective partner to bring to market a
new generation of DNA-based diagnostics,” said Kari
Stefansson, CEO of deCODE.
According to Jay Flatley, President and CEO of Illumina,
“This landmark agreement will aid in the discovery
of powerful biomarkers associating genetics and disease
and the application of these discoveries to develop
new products. We expect the tests developed by the
alliance to provide novel means of predicting disease
risk and of optimizing disease prevention and treatment
strategies. deCODE has pioneered the use of population
genetics to better understand and improve both individual
outcomes and human health in general. We’re excited
to join forces with a company that has demonstrated
scientific leadership using gene discovery to address
the therapeutic challenges of complex human diseases.”
About deCODE
deCODE genetics (NASDAQ:DCGN) is a global leader in
applying human genetics to develop drugs for common
diseases. Our population approach has enabled us
to discover and target key biological pathways involved
in conditions ranging from heart attack to cancer.
We are turning these discoveries into new medicine
to better treat and prevent many of the biggest challenges
to public health. deCODE is delivering on the promise
of the new genetics.SM Visit us on the web at www.decode.com.
About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) develops and markets next-generation
tools for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation
and function. The Company's proprietary BeadArray
technology -- used in leading genomics centers around
the world -- provides the throughput, cost effectiveness
and flexibility necessary to enable researchers in
the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries to
perform the billions of tests necessary to extract
medically valuable information from advances in genomics
and proteomics. This information will help pave the
way to personalized medicine by correlating genetic
variation and gene function with particular disease
states, enhancing drug discovery, allowing diseases
to be detected earlier and more specifically, and
permitting better choices of drugs for individual
patients.
Certain statements contained in this press release
are considered "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, and it is deCODE’s and Illumina’s
intent that such statements be protected by the safe
harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to: 1) the companies
plan to co-develop and commercialize DNA-based diagnostic
tests; 2) Illumina will gain access to disease-related
biomarkers and deploy the markers into diagnostic
disease panels; 3) this alliance enables us to generate
near-term product revenue. Potential risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, the risks: a) deCODE’s
previously discovered at-risk variants may not be
sufficiently informative to have diagnostic value;
b) Illumina’s BeadLab infrastructure may not support
sufficiently the high sample throughput envisioned
by the parties; c) Illumina may not manufacture HumanHap
BeadChips in adequate quantity or quality; d) the
companies may not see an increased customer base
as a result of the collaboration, as well as other
risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time
in deCODE’s or Illumina’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. deCODE and Illumina undertake
no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
beyond the date of this release.
deCODE and Illumina Form Alliance to Develop and Commercialize DNA-based Diagnostics (PDF 151KB)