Our partners
and how to become one

We license our tests, analytical tools, and intellectual property to provide unique value to our partners and to broaden the market for our products and know-how


To expand the medical and commercial impact of our discoveries and capabilities in genetics, deCODE pursues partnerships with leading organizations and institutions involved in research, pharmaceuticals, informatics, and across the healthcare field. Through these alliances we can help our partners to add value to their portfolios, and in turn leverage their expertise and market leadership in selected areas to extend the reach and sales of our products. To learn more about what we can do, and to explore partnership opportunities across our business, please contact Jakob Sigurdssson, our executive vice president of corporate development, at +354 570 1900 or bd@decode.is.

Our partners include:

Celera

In April 2009, deCODE granted Celera non-exclusive worldwide licenses to deCODE’s genetic markers for increased risk of major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). These markers can be incorporated by Celera and its subsidiary Berkeley HeartLab into their tests and services for assessing and managing individual risk of these diseases. The deCODE markers include single letter variations in the human genome (SNPs) on chromosome 9p21 linked to increased risk of heart attack and aortic aneurysm, SNPs on chromosome 4q25 conferring risk of AF and stroke, and SNPs in the TCF7L2 gene linked to increased risk of T2D.

Studies by deCODE and independent academic groups have demonstrated the utility of testing for these markers to better understand individual risk and to inform more effective and personalized prevention and therapy. Under the terms of the agreements, deCODE will receive royalties on sales of testing products incorporating its markers.

Illumina

In May 2006 deCODE and Illumina announced the formation of a strategic alliance to co-develop and commercialize DNA-based diagnostic tests in several major disease areas. As part of the agreement, Illumina installed 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.