NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Russian genomics firm ReadSense has signed a deal with Strand Life Sciences to co-develop next-generation sequencing-based tests for the diagnosis of inherited diseases including hereditary forms of epilepsy and primary immunodeficiency disorders, the companies announced today.
Under the arrangement, ReadSense will conduct DNA analysis of blood samples to identify genetic signatures associated with heritable neurological, gastroenterological, and pulmonary disorders. Strand will contribute its software and bioinformatics capabilities for the analysis of the data.
"Our genomic center collaborates with medical institutions on the basis of the request of clinicians themselves, which creates the demand in R&D," ReadSense CEO Vladislav Mileiko said in a statement. "This cooperation with Strand will help us to use the best international practices for solving the wide range of tasks from a selection of personalized genetic tests for the patient to clinical interpretation of whole-genome analysis."
The companies said they anticipate launching the tests in Russia as panels for the most common groups of hereditary diseases "in the near future."