Genizon BioSciences Collaborating With London Genetics To Enhance Gene Discovery Findings In Schizophrenia

Main Category: Schizophrenia
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 11 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Genizon BioSciences Inc. and London Genetics Ltd announced an agreement under which they will collaborate to replicate discoveries made by Genizon in a genome-wide association study of schizophrenia. Genizon's study identified multiple genes associated with the disease using DNA samples from the Quebec Founder Population.

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling disease of the central nervous system affecting between 0.5% and 1% of the adult population worldwide. The causes involve both genetic and environmental factors. Treatment generally involves the use of antipsychotic medication which is effective in treating some disease symptoms, but can also produce significant side effects. London Genetics' Partner, University College London (UCL), has entered into a research collaboration to replicate Genizon's findings of their genome-wide association study. Genotyping of samples and statistical analyses of the data will be conducted at Genizon's St. Laurent, Quebec research center.

"We are delighted to be working with London Genetics and UCL," said Dr. John Hooper, President and CEO of Genizon. "They have access to advanced expertise in schizophrenia research, and this collaboration will help replicate our discoveries in this disease." Genizon has conducted eight genome-wide association studies to date, covering a range of therapeutic areas. All studies have used samples from the Quebec Founder Population which, because of its high level of genetic homogeneity, is considered among the best populations worldwide for disease gene discovery. Genizon is dedicated to accelerating the development of diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for schizophrenia.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Genizon and this demonstrates the extensive expertise, capabilities and resource that London Genetics can provide," said Professor Nick Lench, CEO of London Genetics.

About Genizon

Genizon BioSciences Inc. discovers genes and biomarkers in common diseases using genome-wide association studies ("GWAS"), leveraging its proven and proprietary technology platform and access to patients and controls from the Quebec Founder Population. This platform can be applied to clinical programs at any stage and across all therapeutic areas to identify patients who will respond to a given drug and thereby advance personalized medicine. Genizon has generated comprehensive maps of interacting genes and biomarkers ("GeneMaps"), which provide the basis for discovery of predictive diagnostics and novel medicines. Genizon also offers high throughput, high quality SNP genotyping, genetic analysis, gene expression and pharmacogenomics services to academic institutions, research organizations and the biopharmaceutical industry, including licensing partnerships with Pfizer and Genentech. For more information visit: http://www.genizon.com.

About London Genetics

London Genetics Ltd is funded by the London Development Agency, which provides the healthcare industry with access to world-class clinical and academic excellence in genomics-based medicine, bringing together the expertise and resources of seven of London's top biomedical research Institutions. Using its specialist subject knowledge and extensive networks, London Genetics provides access to well phenotyped, clinical cohorts for biomarker discovery and validation through investigator-led collaborative research programmes. For more information visit: http://www.londongenetics.com.

The London Development Agency works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners and drives sustainable economic growth. The LDA invests more than £400 million a year to create jobs and develop healthy, sustainable communities supporting London as a financial, educational and research centre. For more information visit: http://www.lda.gov.uk.

London Genetics