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16.02.2005 07:01:00
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The University of Cambridge, Cancer Research Technology, Cancer Resear
The University of Cambridge, Cancer Research Technology, Cancer Research UK and Perlegen Sciences Collaborate to Analyze Thousands of DNA Samples from Breast Cancer Patients Massive 200 Million Genotype Study Will Search Across Entire Genome for Genetic Causes of Breast Cancer
The University of Cambridge, Cancer Research Technology, Cancer Research UK and Perlegen Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced today that they will be collaborating to conduct a high-resolution, whole genome association study on breast cancer. Scientists will determine over 200 million individual genotypes in DNA samples collected from patients to further elucidate the genetic basis of the disease with which over one million individuals worldwide are diagnosed annually.
The study's initial results will be validated by analysis of thousands of additional samples coordinated by the researchers at University of Cambridge through a variety of clinical collaborators. As the most comprehensive search ever conducted into the genetic basis of breast cancer, this project may help to identify more precisely women at high risk of the disease, and may ultimately lead to improvements in the prevention, earlier detection and treatment of breast cancer. Funding for this research is being provided by Cancer Research UK.
The study will be a genome-wide scan for common predisposing genetic variants that are associated with susceptibility to breast cancer. Although each newly discovered genetic variant may contribute in a modest way to the overall disease, collectively they could explain a significant portion of the variation in breast cancer risk in the population. Genetic variants in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which predispose strongly to breast cancer, have been identified previously, but these are quite rare and account for less than 5% of breast cancer cases. This new study hopes to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of breast cancer.
The DNA samples from patients were collected through a systematic study of breast cancer in the Anglian region of the UK and through clinical genetics centers in the UK. The study will compare genetic variants in the DNA of breast cancer cases with DNA from healthy women in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer ("EPIC") study of diet and cancer, also coordinated at Cambridge. Perlegen Sciences will genotype the anonymized samples to determine the genetic variation in each sample.
"We are pleased to be able to integrate the capabilities of Cambridge and Perlegen through the funding support of Cancer Research UK to conduct this study to further the knowledge of the genetic basis of breast cancer," stated Prof. Bruce Ponder, Cancer Research UK Department of Oncology and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Strangeways Laboratories, University of Cambridge.
"We are excited to be collaborating with the excellent team at Cambridge on this important research in breast cancer," stated Dr. David R. Cox, Chief Scientific Officer of Perlegen Sciences. "Like many diseases, breast cancer susceptibility may be the result of many genetic variants, each with a relatively small effect, but collectively highly predictive."
"We are pleased to be funding this genetic research for such an important disease as breast cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, overall, the disease is approximately twice as common in first degree relatives of breast cancer patients. Gaining a greater understanding of the genetic basis of this disease will aid in the fight against breast cancer," stated Mr. Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Technology and Chief Operating Officer of Cancer Research UK.
Dr. David Secher, Director of the Research Services Division at the University of Cambridge said: "One in nine women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer. We hope that the collaboration between the four partners will yield important insight into the disease and are pleased to have been involved in negotiating this agreement."
About the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge's reputation for outstanding academic achievement is known worldwide and reflects the intellectual achievement of its students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by the staff of the University and the Colleges.
As Cambridge approaches its eight hundredth anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. It continues to change in response to the challenges it faces. The modern University is an international centre of teaching and research in a vast range of subjects: about half of the students study science or technology. Members of the University have won over sixty Nobel Prizes.
The University's Research Services Division provides a 'one stop shop' supporting activities involved in research funding and technology transfer. Staff of this division negotiate, on behalf of the University, all contracts for research collaborations.
www.cam.ac.uk
About Cancer Research Technology Limited
Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist technology transfer company which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. Further information about Cancer Research UK can be found at www.cancertechnology.com.
About Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is Europe's leading cancer charity, dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer. The charity supports the work of 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses in over 80 academic centres across the UK, with an annual scientific spend of more than GBP 213 million. Cancer Research UK is the European leader in the development of novel anti-cancer treatments; from their discovery at the laboratory bench to early clinical trials in cancer patients. Further information about Cancer Research UK can be found at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
About Perlegen Sciences
Perlegen Sciences, Inc. is working to provide safe and effective medicines to the world. The company quickly and cost effectively analyzes millions of genetic variations in DNA samples obtained from clinical trial participants. This information is used to explain and predict the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of prescription drugs. Perlegen also applies this expertise to discovering genetic variants associated with disease for potential new therapeutics and diagnostics. For years, scientists and drug manufacturers have been eager to comprehensively examine entire genomes; through Perlegen, this is now possible. Perlegen is able to bring drugs to the market wherein clinical development could have been otherwise discontinued.
Based in Mountain View, California, Perlegen was formed in late 2000 as a spin-off from Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX). For more information about the company and its technologies, visit Perlegen's website at www.perlegen.com. Perlegen Sciences, Perlegen, and the Perlegen logo are trademarks of Perlegen Sciences, Inc.
--30--JR/sf*
Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers
BIOWIRE2K
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, England & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2005--
The University of Cambridge, Cancer Research Technology, Cancer Research UK and Perlegen Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced today that they will be collaborating to conduct a high-resolution, whole genome association study on breast cancer. Scientists will determine over 200 million individual genotypes in DNA samples collected from patients to further elucidate the genetic basis of the disease with which over one million individuals worldwide are diagnosed annually.
The study's initial results will be validated by analysis of thousands of additional samples coordinated by the researchers at University of Cambridge through a variety of clinical collaborators. As the most comprehensive search ever conducted into the genetic basis of breast cancer, this project may help to identify more precisely women at high risk of the disease, and may ultimately lead to improvements in the prevention, earlier detection and treatment of breast cancer. Funding for this research is being provided by Cancer Research UK.
The study will be a genome-wide scan for common predisposing genetic variants that are associated with susceptibility to breast cancer. Although each newly discovered genetic variant may contribute in a modest way to the overall disease, collectively they could explain a significant portion of the variation in breast cancer risk in the population. Genetic variants in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which predispose strongly to breast cancer, have been identified previously, but these are quite rare and account for less than 5% of breast cancer cases. This new study hopes to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of breast cancer.
The DNA samples from patients were collected through a systematic study of breast cancer in the Anglian region of the UK and through clinical genetics centers in the UK. The study will compare genetic variants in the DNA of breast cancer cases with DNA from healthy women in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer ("EPIC") study of diet and cancer, also coordinated at Cambridge. Perlegen Sciences will genotype the anonymized samples to determine the genetic variation in each sample.
"We are pleased to be able to integrate the capabilities of Cambridge and Perlegen through the funding support of Cancer Research UK to conduct this study to further the knowledge of the genetic basis of breast cancer," stated Prof. Bruce Ponder, Cancer Research UK Department of Oncology and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Strangeways Laboratories, University of Cambridge.
"We are excited to be collaborating with the excellent team at Cambridge on this important research in breast cancer," stated Dr. David R. Cox, Chief Scientific Officer of Perlegen Sciences. "Like many diseases, breast cancer susceptibility may be the result of many genetic variants, each with a relatively small effect, but collectively highly predictive."
"We are pleased to be funding this genetic research for such an important disease as breast cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, overall, the disease is approximately twice as common in first degree relatives of breast cancer patients. Gaining a greater understanding of the genetic basis of this disease will aid in the fight against breast cancer," stated Mr. Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Technology and Chief Operating Officer of Cancer Research UK.
Dr. David Secher, Director of the Research Services Division at the University of Cambridge said: "One in nine women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer. We hope that the collaboration between the four partners will yield important insight into the disease and are pleased to have been involved in negotiating this agreement."
About the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge's reputation for outstanding academic achievement is known worldwide and reflects the intellectual achievement of its students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by the staff of the University and the Colleges.
As Cambridge approaches its eight hundredth anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. It continues to change in response to the challenges it faces. The modern University is an international centre of teaching and research in a vast range of subjects: about half of the students study science or technology. Members of the University have won over sixty Nobel Prizes.
The University's Research Services Division provides a 'one stop shop' supporting activities involved in research funding and technology transfer. Staff of this division negotiate, on behalf of the University, all contracts for research collaborations.
www.cam.ac.uk
About Cancer Research Technology Limited
Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist technology transfer company which aims to develop new discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. Further information about Cancer Research UK can be found at www.cancertechnology.com.
About Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is Europe's leading cancer charity, dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer. The charity supports the work of 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses in over 80 academic centres across the UK, with an annual scientific spend of more than GBP 213 million. Cancer Research UK is the European leader in the development of novel anti-cancer treatments; from their discovery at the laboratory bench to early clinical trials in cancer patients. Further information about Cancer Research UK can be found at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
About Perlegen Sciences
Perlegen Sciences, Inc. is working to provide safe and effective medicines to the world. The company quickly and cost effectively analyzes millions of genetic variations in DNA samples obtained from clinical trial participants. This information is used to explain and predict the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of prescription drugs. Perlegen also applies this expertise to discovering genetic variants associated with disease for potential new therapeutics and diagnostics. For years, scientists and drug manufacturers have been eager to comprehensively examine entire genomes; through Perlegen, this is now possible. Perlegen is able to bring drugs to the market wherein clinical development could have been otherwise discontinued.
Based in Mountain View, California, Perlegen was formed in late 2000 as a spin-off from Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX). For more information about the company and its technologies, visit Perlegen's website at www.perlegen.com. Perlegen Sciences, Perlegen, and the Perlegen logo are trademarks of Perlegen Sciences, Inc.
--30--JR/sf*
CONTACT: Perlegen Sciences, Inc. Paul Cusenza, 650-625-4500 Vice President, Alliance Management or for the University of Cambridge Corina Hadjiodysseos, + 01223 332300 Press and Publications Office ch250@cam.ac.uk or for Cancer Research UK Nick Stewart, 020 7061 8317 Senior Press Officer Duty Press Officer, 07050 264 059 (out-of-hours)
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCT SOURCE: Perlegen Sciences, Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2005
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