Collaboration to Study Heart Disease and Diabetes Genes

A scientific collaboration to study genes that may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and diabetes has been announced by Celera Diagnostics (Alameda, CA, USA) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (New York, NY, USA).

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will provide clinical samples and data to Celera Diagnostics, which will conduct studies to correlate genetic variability with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Bristol will receive exclusive rights to develop and market drugs for cardiovascular disease and diabetes based on therapeutic targets identified by the studies. Celera will retain exclusive rights to develop and market diagnostic products. The collaboration will be managed by a joint steering committee.

"This collaboration serves as a model of our approach to the discovery of markers and to the development of new diagnostic products that are actionable through their close association with therapeutic treatments,” said Kathy Ordonez, president of Celera Diagnostics.

The companies plan to analyze the genetic variation associated with 1,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in more than 3,000 clinically defined samples. Bristol collected these samples for use in studies demonstrating efficacy of its cholesterol-lowering drugs in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease.





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