Under terms of the agreement, Clinical Data’s PGxHealth division will provide Duke University’s Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy (IGSP) with non-exclusive access to its studies conducted to discover genetic variants associated with baseline lipid parameters and the response of these parameters to statins.
In return, Clinical Data receives the right to evaluate the commercial potential of any findings derived from the IGSP’s studies.
Researchers at Duke IGSP are planning a series of studies to find and validate associations between genetic variants and responses to drugs used for dyslipidemia (or ‘hypercholesterolemia’) in a family practice setting and are also carrying out similar studies in the areas of hypertension and asthma.
“We expect that these new studies will deepen our understanding of how genetics plays a role in the efficacy of pharmaceutical products for hypercholesterolemia, potentially leading to improved efficacy and safety of treatments for these common chronic diseases,” said Dr Carol Reed, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Clinical Data.