Roche and deCODE genetics have announced that scientists at deCODE together with psychiatrists from the Icelandic healthcare system have identified a gene linked to schizophrenia.
This discovery is the result of a genome-wide screen conducted with the participation of 400 Icelandic schizophrenia patients and an equal number of their unaffected family members.
The study marks a crucial step towards identifying susceptibility genes and understanding their function in this disease.
Using deCODE‘s research results, Roche scientists are developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
deCODE has received an undisclosed milestone payment for part of this accomplishment.
Jonathan Knowles, head of Global Research at Roche, noted: “This is a truly remarkable success for our alliance with deCODE. We are excited to have access to what appears to be the first genetically- identified target for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against this devastating illness.”
Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE genetics remarked, “We are deeply grateful to the Icelandic patients who participated in this study. Their generosity and the expertise of deCODE scientists and of the physicians who support our efforts have moved us one step closer to understanding the genetic basis of schizophrenia.”
deCODE genetics, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is conducting research into the inherited causes of common diseases.
Through its population-based approach and data-mining techniques, deCODE seeks to turn raw genomics data into products and services for the healthcare industry.
Roche is one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins.
Roche’s innovative products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people’s well- being and quality of life.
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