Genetics and DNA continue to become more and more involved with genealogy. Here is an announcement from GenData Research Corporation showing their use of a genealogy database of Utah families:
SALT LAKE CITY, January 05, 2005 -- GenData today announced a collaborative sponsored research and exclusive license agreement with Amgen Inc. for the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutics and diagnostics aimed at an undisclosed disorder. Under the collaboration, Amgen will select genetic targets identified by GenData's powerful population genetics discovery platform.
The terms of the collaboration include sponsored research activities, product development milestones, and financial consideration associated with therapeutic and diagnostic products that result from the collaboration. Detailed financial terms were not disclosed.
"Advances in human genetic research have generated many discoveries related to common disorders," said Stephen Prescott, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of GenData. "We are excited to be collaborating with Amgen on a project we hope will improve the health of many people. Our unique resources, including the Utah Genetic Reference Project, the Utah Population Database, and our pedigree-based genetic approach have the potential to accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs and diagnostics."
The Utah Genetic Reference Project is an extensive collection of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics collected from more than 600 individuals representing approximately 45 Utah families. These large multigenerational families donated their DNA to the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) approximately twenty years ago, and since then their DNA has been a critical resource in the mapping studies that identified genes for a number of genetic diseases and disorders.
The Utah Population Database is an unmatched integration of vital statistics, clinical records, and genealogical information. Currently, the Utah Population Database comprises more than 7 million linked records, including genealogical records, population records, and vital statistics that are linked to medical information.
About GenData
GenData Research Corporation is a biotechnology contract research and licensing organization that utilizes a powerful population genetics discovery platform to identify and validate biomarkers, coordinate clinical trials, and identify health-promoting and disease-causing genetic factors. GenData provides industry partners with breakthrough genetic research programs that leverage an extensive biosample repository coupled with detailed clinical data and decades of medical and genetic information from both population-based studies and studies on multigenerational families. GenData's key asset is its ability to provide commercial access to research using the Utah Population Database.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, GenData draws on a proven process for genetic discovery at the University of Utah that has led to the discovery of multiple disease-causing genes in cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. This history of success has been expanded to disease areas including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders, central nervous system disorders, and age-related conditions.
