Perlegen

The Australian firm has acquired, among other assets, the BrevaGen breast cancer risk test, which it expects to launch in the second half of this year.

A review of the privately held pharmacogenomics company's activities from when it opened its doors in 2000 to just before it shuttered in late 2009 suggests that despite partnerships with academia and big pharma, opportunistic R&D investments in key markets, and at least one recently launched commercial diagnostic product, the company was unable to remain solvent. R&D disappointments, losses related to a government contract, and the economic crisis may have directly forced the company to close.