NEW YORK, June 15 – DNA Sciences has signed a multi-year subscription to Celera’s databases, the company said Monday.
The agreement allows researchers at DNA Sciences, of Fremont, Calif., full access to all of Celera's genomics tools through the Celera Discovery system, a web-based interface that includes software for searching and analyzing Celera's proprietary databases of human and mouse genomic information.
The companies did not disclose financial details, but in the past Rockville, Md.-based Celera has charged pharmaceutical companies between $5 million and $15 million a year to use the databases.
DNA Sciences will apply the information in Celera’s databases to its search for gene variants associated with common diseases such as cancer, asthma, and diabetes. To obtain patient samples, the company partners with universities and businesses, and recruits patients through its Gene Trust program.
"We believe that access to the mouse and human genome and SNP databases will be valuable to our discovery of gene variants associated with common disease susceptibility and treatment response," Hugh Rienhoff, CEO of DNA Sciences, said in a statement.
The DNA Sciences deal adds to Celera's list of over 30 current subscribers, which include the University of California system, the Max Planck Society for Advancement of Science, the Karolinska Institute, and American Home Products.