AstraZeneca to incorporate genomics in its research and development

AstraZeneca announced its initiative to incorporate genomics throughout its research and development pipeline this week. 

The research and development arm of AstraZeneca, MedImmune, will incorporate genomics in all its platforms. In addition, AstraZeneca plans to create an in-house Centre for Genomics Research, which will develop a custom database of genome sequences with the associated clinical trial and drug response data.

AstraZeneca is also forging collaborations with Human Longevity Inc., The Institute for Molecular Medicine and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. It will share the DNA samples collected from patients in clinical trials and other genomic samples with its partners and in return, they will share their own databases of genomic and health records with AstraZeneca.

“Using the power of genomics is the foundation of our ambition to develop the most innovative and impactful treatments for patients," AstraZeneca EVP of Innovative Medicines & Early Development Menelas Pangalos said. "With the advent of next generation sequencing and the increased sophistication of data analysis, the time is now right to immerse ourselves fully in the international genomics community through these pioneering collaborations and through the creation of our own genome center. We will leverage information from up to 2 million genome sequences, including over 500,000 from our own clinical trials, to drive drug discovery and development across all our therapeutic areas. Genomics will be fundamental to our laboratory research, our clinical trials and the launch of our medicines for patients.”