Gemini
Genomics
Accelerates
Newfoundland
Activity
to
Further
Speed
Discovery
of
Genes
for
Common
Human
Diseases
Website:
http://www.gemini-genomics.com
October
2000
--
Gemini
Genomics
plc
(NASDAQ:
GMNI),
the
clinical
genomics
company,
announced
that
Newfound
Genomics,
a
Newfoundland
joint
venture
between
Gemini
and
Lineage
Biomedical
Inc.,
has
made
key
scientific
appointments
and
completed
its
first
disease
specific
clinical
collections.
Dr.
Proton
Rahman
of
Newfoundland
has
been
appointed
Chief
Scientific
Officer
of
Newfound
Genomics
and
will
oversee
the
company's
collection
and
genetic
analysis
of
the
clinical
samples.
The
clinical
activities
of
the
joint
venture,
the
establishment
of
which
was
announced
less
than
six
months
ago,
are
proceeding
ahead
of
schedule.
The
clinical
data
collected
will
focus
on
the
detailed
study
of
the
identification
of
the
key
genes
responsible
for
the
diseases
that
are
very
common
in
Newfoundlanders,
especially
type
2
diabetes
and
obesity.
Newfoundland,
with
its
unique
population
history
and
prevalence
of
certain
diseases,
such
as
rheumatoid
arthritis
and
diabetes,
is
a
key
population
to
target
for
the
identification
of
disease-associated
genes
relevant
to
the
broader
Caucasian
populations.
While
Newfound
Genomics
is
building
substantial
local
clinical
genetic
and
research
facilities
for
its
own
research,
Gemini
has
been
granted
the
exclusive
rights
to
analyze
this
data
as
an
additional
resource
for
its
own
disease
gene
discovery
and
validation
activities.
This
data
will
add
to
Gemini's
extensive
collection
of
clinical
samples
including
Caucasian
and
non-Caucasian
populations.
"With
Gemini's
technical
and
financial
support,
Newfound
Genomics
is
poised
to
be
a
leader
in
clinical
genomics
,
and
we
are
pleased
to
be
attracting
scientists
of
the
caliber
of
Dr.
Rahman
into
the
venture"
said
Dr.
Paul
Kelly,
Gemini's
President
and
Chief
Executive
Officer.
"
This
indicates
the
commitment
of
Gemini
and
Newfound
Genomics
to
the
local
scientific
and
academic
community."
"We
see
population
genetic
strategies
as
one
part
of
a
portfolio
of
clinical
genetic
approaches.
The
population
of
Newfoundland
and
Labrador
originate
largely
from
Irish
migrants
from
the
16th
and
17th
Century.
This
relatively
isolated
population
allows
us
to
target
the
association
of
diseases
and
genes
prevalent
in
Newfoundland
and
present
in
the
worldwide
population,"
said
Patrick
Kleyn,
Ph.D.,
Gemini's
Chief
Scientific
Officer.
"The
addition
of
this
geographical
coverage
in
our
clinical
genetics
ensures
that
we
maximize
our
discovery
and
revenue
generating
opportunities
in
genetic
diagnostics
and
therapeutics."
The
joint
venture
was
established
with
the
aim
of
identifying
genes
for
common
diseases.
All
clinical
samples
are
collected
from
local
volunteers
and
DNA
collected
in
the
province
will
remain
in
the
province.
The
collection
of
DNA
and
other
data
will
be
in
compliance
with
the
highest
medical
ethical
standards.
Gemini
is
a
clinical
genomics
company
focused
on
the
discovery
of
novel
gene-based
targets
that
offer
maximum
potential
for
the
development
of
therapeutics
or
diagnostics
by
the
pharmaceutical
and
health
care
industries.
Gemini's
approach
integrates
comprehensive
clinical
data
and
detailed
genetic
information
from
a
wide
range
of
human
population
groups,
including
twins,
disease
affected
families,
isolated
(founder)
populations
and
drug
trial
subjects.
By
investing
in
leading
edge
bioinformatics
technologies,
Gemini
is
able
to
effectively
apply
these
resources
to
the
acceleration
of
disease
gene
identification,
target
discovery,
and
drug
development.
For
more
information
about
Gemini
Genomics,
visit
the
company's
website,
http://www.gemini-genomics.com.
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