Alliance to Promote Genetic Tests, Research

A collaboration to promote the development of microarray-based genetic tests in Japan as well as research programs has been announced by Jurilab (Kuopio, Finland) and Summit Pharmaceuticals International Corp. (SPI, Tokyo, Japan).

Under the agreement, SPI will represent Jurilab in Japan for collaborate and licensing arrangements that target R&D outsourcing needs of Japanese diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and biotech companies in the areas of gene discovery and pharmacogenetics. Jurilab will provide Summit with access to a comprehensive collection of DNA samples and phenotypic data from more than 20,000 subjects from the East Finlander founder population. This population shows a high degree of genetic homogeneity, providing unique statistical power for genetic analysis.

Other arrangements are expected to include the licensing of genetic markers from Jurilab's intellectual property portfolio, the development of new microarray products, and the provision of analytic biochemistry services. SPI will act as exclusive distributor in Japan for Jurilab's DrugME test for genetic profiling of subjects in clinical trials with regard to drug metabolizing enzymes.

"We are looking forward immensely to working with the SPI team to develop our activities in Japan,” said Kari Paukkeri, CEO of Jurilab.




Related Links:
Jurilab
Summit Pharma