Dive Brief:
- Although the specifics of the $30 million genetics co-research deal between Columbia University and Biogen Idec have not been revealed, part of the pact definitely involves the establishment of a genetics studies postdoctoral program at Columbia and a sequencing and analysis facility.
- The broad goal of the research partnership is to explore the connections between genes, pathways, and disease processes.
- Columbia University Medical Center is renowned for its genomics expertise, while Biogen Idec is widely recognized for its drug-development prowess.
Dive Insight:
Biogen Idec and Columbia University represent a powerful biotech-academic alliance, with a serious mission: To undertake genetics research in order to identify qualified treatment targets for various diseases.
Towards that end, the team of researchers will be investigating phenomena such as patient genomes showing unusual treatment responses or unique disease presentations. In addition, the researchers will be looking at disease pathways and working to connect the dots between genes, intermediary factors, and disease manifestation.