NEWSBRIEF: Pyrosequencing and University of Geneva Add To Down Syndrome Diagnostics Deal

NEW YORK, May 7-The Swedish firm Pyrosequencing and the University of Geneva today said that they would work together to develop new prenatal screens for a range of chromosomal diseases.

The research project expands upon a collaboration launched last August to develop a diagnostic for Down Syndrome. The test has been created and is now being clinically evaluated.

This expanded partnership will develop genetic tests for other types of chromosomal trisomy, including trisomy 18 (Edward's Syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome). These syndromes, while less common than Down syndrome, cause profound mental retardation and generally fatal health problems.

The collaboration is structured so that Pyrosequencing's Molecular Diagnostics business unit sponsors research at the Swiss university to carry out the gene analysis. Financial details were not revealed.

Pyrosequencing is a publicly held company based in Uppsala, Sweden.