In landmark partnership, Sidra Medical and Research Center,
the genomics and informatics hub for the Qatar Genome Project,
adopts the leading infrastructure for large-scale research and
clinical genomics
- Whole-genome pilot for 3000 samples using WuXi NextCODE
system already underway
- Data scientists from both organizations to collaborate on
novel applications of WuXi NextCODE technology for clinical and
research use at Sidra and for the QGP
- Utilizing the same technology as leading genomics
institutions in the US, Europe and
China will accelerate benefits to
patients in Qatar, the Arab world
and globally
DOHA, Qatar, SHANGHAI, CAMBRIDGE,
Massachusetts and REYKJAVIK,
Iceland, Oct. 6 2015
/PRNewswire/ -- WuXi NextCODE, a precision medicine company using
the genome to improve health worldwide, and Sidra Medical and
Research Center (Sidra), a groundbreaking hospital, research and
education institution, today announced a broad, long-term agreement
to provide and co-develop comprehensive research and bioinformatics
programs.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151006/274295LOGO
"Understanding the genome is the key to building a roadmap for
better health outcomes. We are really excited to be a part of a
ground-breaking national project like the Qatar Genome Project as
well as other research programs that will empower us and our
partners to improve the health of the people in Qatar. Our work on the QGP has the potential
to develop applications that will take our research and expertise
beyond Qatar's borders," said Dr
Francesco Marincola, Sidra's Chief
Research Officer. "The partnership with WuXi NextCODE brings us key
capabilities: a fully integrated and truly scalable bioinformatics
system for ramping up our sequencing effort, build a global
standard database and tools using population genomic and medical
data to benefit research and clinical care."
"Qatar is a small nation
thinking big, committed to playing a leading role in making
sequence data a standard part of healthcare," said Hannes Smarason,
co-founder, President and COO of WuXi NextCODE, a wholly owned
subsidiary of WuXi AppTec (NYSE:WX). "Given our roots in
Iceland and work with Genomics
England and other large-scale projects, this collaboration is a
natural fit for us. We are excited to be a part of it and to
advance the practice of precision medicine with the stellar
multinational team that Sidra has assembled."
Within a flexible multi-year framework, the partnership will
enable Sidra to leverage its world-class clinical, research and
bioinformatics teams to deliver cutting-edge genomic medicine – for
its own patients as well as enhance its expertise to develop
national, regional and global genomics research initiatives.
The implementation will also allow Sidra to develop customized
applications to support the genetic research needs of several
health and research programs currently underway in Qatar, such as the Qatar Genome Project (QGP).
QGP is a nationwide initiative launched by Her Highness Sheikha
Moza bint Nasser at the World Innovation Summit for Health 2013.
Its aim is to generate genome sequence and molecular 'omics data on
the Qatari population and link it to a national electronic medical
record (EMR) system that will help chart a road map for future
advanced health care through personalized medicine.
WuXi NextCODE's technology was originally developed to conduct
population research in Iceland –
which is similar to the Qatar Genome Project in terms of sample
size and participation.
This system and its unique genomic database model - which
manages and mines more sequences than any other system in the world
– will streamline the flow of samples in and data out of Sidra's
high-throughput sequencing center. In addition to supporting the
QGP, the implementation will facilitate clinical diagnostics and
accelerate research priorities for the Genome Arabia Project, the
genetics of type 2 diabetes as well as other research projects
currently underway at Sidra.
In partnership with Qatar Biobank, another key institution in
the QGPs, Sidra is currently aiming to complete the pilot phase by
May 2016. A whole-genome pilot of the
Qatari population with a sample size of 3,000 - using the WuXi
NextCODE system - is already underway. As the genomics and
bioinformatics hub for the QGP, Sidra has set up a lab within Qatar
Biobank with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS);
Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) metrics
implementation and full speed data generation. Through innovation
and integration of genomic technologies and health care, QGP will
position Qatar as a global leader
in personalized medicine and precision health.
WuXi NextCODE offers uniquely comprehensive and
integrated capabilities for using the genome to better diagnose
disease and create better medicine. These include a full range of
sequencing services through our CLIA-certified laboratory; the
world's leading genome sequence analysis system; a novel database
architecture that makes it possible to query, manage, store and
share massive genomic data with unrivalled speed and efficiency;
and the know-how and experience to apply genomics to optimize every
aspect of drug discovery and development. With offices in
Shanghai, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Reykjavik, we enable clinicians and
researchers at institutions and companies worldwide to use the full
power of the genome to diagnose, treat and prevent disease. WuXi
NextCODE is a wholly owned subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, the operating
subsidiaries of WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX). WuXi AppTec comprises a
leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform
company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical
device industries, with operations in China and the United
States.
Sidra Medical and Research Center, based in
Doha, Qatar, is a
groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution,
focusing on the health and wellbeing of women and children
regionally and globally. Sidra will be a fully digital facility,
incorporating the most advanced information technology applications
in clinical, research and business functions. Sidra will initially
have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds
in a subsequent phase.
Sidra represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint
Nasser, who serves as its Chairperson. The high-tech facility will
not only provide world-class patient care but will also help build
Qatar's scientific expertise and
resources.
Sidra is part of a dynamic research and education environment
in Qatar that includes leading
international institutions, such as Sidra's academic partner
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
Through strong partnerships with leading institutions around the
world, Sidra is creating an intellectual ecosystem to help advance
scientific discovery through investment in medical
research.
Sidra will have a unique working structure with
inter-professional collaboration at the heart, providing the best
holistic care for patients and an unparalleled learning environment
for its medical professionals. Sidra will combine the best in
design, technology, operations and practices from medical centers
around the world – to offer its employees an environment that is at
once familiar and extraordinary.
Contacts:
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WuXi NextCODE
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Sidra Medical and Research Center
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Edward Farmer
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Farhana Habib-Coelho
|
VP Communications & New
Ventures
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Communications Specialist
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efarmer@wuxinextcode.com
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fcoelho@sidra.org
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+1 781 775 6206
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+(974) 4404-2176
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