NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Second Genome today announced a deal with Pfizer to conduct a large microbiome observational study to find out more about obesity and metabolic diseases.
The study is aimed at evaluating clinical factors and the microbiome in a cohort of about 900 individuals with various metabolic phenotypes in order to elucidate the interrelationship between the microbiome, obesity, and metabolic disorders, Second Genome said.
The cohort consists of patients and normal test subjects recruited by a team led by Paul Huang of Massachusetts General Hospital's cardiology division. Studies involving the cohort recently led to the discovery of a gene that confers resistance to the development of diabetes, the South San Francisco, Calif.-based company added.
"Our relationship with Pfizer on a study of this size and magnitude is needed to potentially shift our understanding of this runaway epidemic and find fresh approaches to treating metabolic disease," Second Genome CEO Peter DiLauria said in a statement.
Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Second Genome applies microbiome sciences for new drug development. Its technologies are for identifying, screening, and validating therapeutic candidates and microbial biomarkers.