Medigenomix Receives Award for the Establishment of Relevant SNPs According to Gene Diagnostic and Pharmacogenetic

22-Jul-2004

Medigenomix, a subsidiary of the Eurofins Group based in Munich/ Germany, recently signed an exclusive license agreement with the University of Duisburg-Essen for the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human GNAS Gene to predict the risks for diseases, the natural course of common disorders and the response to therapies. The cooperation and license negotiations were lead by PROvendis GmbH, the agency for patent utilisation of 24 universities in North Rhine Westphalia.

Medigenomix GmbH, a subsidiary of the Eurofins Group based in Munich/Germany, received an award of about EUR 1 mio. from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the "BioChance Plus" competition. The ministry thereby supports application-oriented high-risk research and development projects of small and medium-sized biotechnology enterprises.

This programme aims at accelerating technology transfer from basic research and the formulation of market utilisation strategies. The successful proposal is one of only a few of about 220 submitted project drafts that have been chosen due to its individualised medicine concept. The proposal includes the establishment of innovative, ready-for-market, all-purpose DNA-tests for individual gene diagnostics to predict the course of disorders and the individual response to drug therapies.

In cooperation with the University Hospital Essen polymorphisms in genes (SNPs) coding for G-proteins will be screened and validated. As G-proteins play a pivotal role in signal transduction processes from receptors to intracellular components in all human tissues, variations in their protein structure or expression influence all drug actions and the natural courses of common disorders.

With this project, Medigenomix expands its efforts and research capacities in the field of Pharmacogenetics by a further research area. Hitherto, Medigenomix, located in Martinsried near Munich, offered analytical and pharmacogenetic consulting service for clinical trials in the biopharmaceutical industry using the acquired exclusive licenses of polymorphisms in G-proteins . With the support of the BioChance Plus Programme, the company is now able to carry out its own research in the field of pharmacogenetics in cooperation with Prof. Siffert's group at the University Hospital Essen and will thus strengthen its competence in G-protein-polymorphisms.

The technological and scientific know-how of both partners will be bundled and the validated diagnostic tests will be submitted for international patent applications. Thereby, Medigenomix will make an important contribution to individualised medicine.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.

10+ products
4 whitepaper
10+ brochures