The aim of the collaboration is to deliver high quality cell lines that more accurately model the disease-relevant mutations found in human tumors.
Using GENESIS, Horizon is able to alter any endogenous gene sequence of human or mammalian cell lines quickly, reliably and without unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes. With the ability to rapidly introduce one or more significant gain-of-function disease-relevant mutations (common in many forms of cancer), as well as loss-of-function alterations, into any endogenous gene loci of human cells, GENESIS can more accurately reflect patient genotypes in human cancer cell lines derived from human tumors. Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon will apply GENESIS to develop human isogenic cell lines for use in Bayer’s oncology research and development programs.
Kam Dhaliwal, Director of Business Development, Horizon, said: “We look forward to leveraging our genome engineering expertise to assist Bayer in finding novel potential drug candidates to address cancer. We are delighted that Bayer selected Horizon to collaborate on its drug discovery programs, in recognition of our oncology disease expertise."
Financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed.
About Horizon Discovery
Horizon Discovery Limited (Horizon) is a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics research and the development of personalized medicines. The Company’s proprietary technology, GENESIS, is the world’s most precise genome editing technology. Using GENESIS, Horizon is able to alter any endogenous gene sequence of a human or mammalian cell-line quickly, reliably and without introducing unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes.
Horizon has harnessed GENESIS to create over 400 X-MAN cell lines, the world’s first source of genetically-defined and patient-relevant human cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in cancer patients. These ‘patients-in-a-test-tube’ are being used by academic and industry leaders to identify the effect of individual genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, leading to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently-available and future drug treatments. This enables the design of shorter, more focused, and less expensive clinical trials, ultimately providing the tools to identify the ‘right drugs’ for the ‘right patients’ based upon the unique genetic mutations that define their disease.
In addition to the X-MAN cell lines, Horizon provides GENESIS and X-MAN derived products and services, with industrial application in: bio-pharmaceutical process optimization; clinical diagnostic development; drug discovery & development; and the provision of reference standards for genomic-based clinical research platforms.
GENESIS and X-MAN are registered trademarks of Horizon Discovery Limited.
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Contacts:
At Horizon:
Kam Dhaliwal
Director of Business Development
Tel: +44 (0)1223 655 580
Email: Kam.Dhaliwal@horizondiscovery.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
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