Genentech, Perlegen collaborate to study genetics of cancer

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Jan. 6 - Genentech, Inc. said Friday that it has begun a collaboration with Perlegen Sciences, Inc. to study the genetics of cancer.

Findings from the study could potentially be applied to the discovery and development of targeted medicines and molecular diagnostics for the disease, according to a company news release.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We look forward to applying Perlegen's expertise to further our understanding of the important role genetics plays in cancer," said David Cox, chief scientific officer of Perlegen, in the release.

Perlegen's high throughput oligonucleotide array approach uses Affymetrix's GeneChip technology.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. It has been estimated that about one-half of all men and one-third of all women will develop some form of cancer during their lifetimes, the release said.

An improved understanding of the genetics of cancer may enable the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests for cancer, as well as better targeting of cancer treatments to responsive patient populations, officials said.

Perlegen is a Mountain View, Calif., privately held pharmaceutical company that was formed in late 2000 as a spinoff from Affymetrix, Inc.

Genentech is a South San Francisco, Calif., biotechnology company that develops and commercializes biotherapeutics for medical needs.

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