Nanogen, Jurilab to identify, validate genetic markers for type 2 diabetes

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., May 15 - Nanogen, Inc. said it has formed a collaboration with Oy Jurilab, Ltd., a Finnish genomics company, to identify and validate new prognostic markers for type 2 diabetes.

Jurilab has access to genetic screening of an isolated population in East Finland, resulting in less genetic variation and reduced research time and costs, according to a news release.

Under the agreement, Nanogen will gain access to markers identified by Jurilab in genome-wide screens. The companies plan to validate the diabetes associations of these markers in populations outside Finland, including in Catalonia, England, Germany and from Ashkenazi Jews.

While Nanogen plans to develop diagnostic tests for panels of confirmed markers, both companies will seek joint licensing opportunities to develop therapeutics based the genes identified as playing a role in the disease's cause.

"There are 20 million children and adults living with diabetes in the United States, and many of them are undiagnosed until they develop complications," Nanogen chairman and chief executive officer Howard C. Birndorf said in the release.

"Combining genetic data about risk with early intervention strategies can have a significant impact on reducing disease incidence and severity, and we expect to see extensive demand for prognostic and diagnostic tests, as well as for new effective drugs."

San Diego-based Nanogen provides researchers, clinicians and physicians with methods and tools to predict, diagnose and help treat disease.

Oy Jurilab product emphasis is on disease risk assessment and molecular subtyping tests, human-validated drug targets, pharmacogenetic profiling tests and biochemical and genotyping services.

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