Today, access to the world’s largest browsable resource linking
rare protein-coding genetic variants to human health and disease
was launched through a genetic exome sequence analysis
collaboration between AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Biogen
Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Managed by the
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, the browser gives access to
results from analyses of whole exome sequencing data from 300,000
UK Biobank research participants. These genetic data have been
paired with detailed health information to create this browsable
resource.
The collaboration between AbbVie, Biogen and Pfizer to make
these data available highlights the importance of working together
to advance science. The companies engaged with the Broad Institute
for data processing and to conduct single variant and gene-based
association testing with nearly 4,000 UK Biobank phenotypes to
identify associations between distinct genes or genetic variants
and disease. In line with the collaboration members’ commitment to
openness, these results can now be accessed freely via the new
browser. This browser will enable scientists worldwide to explore
and utilize the data for their respective areas of interest in
accordance with UK Biobank’s terms of use.
“Human genetics has been foundational to understanding disease
etiologies and is a first step to finding solutions to some of
humanity’s most devastating diseases,” said Professor Sir Rory
Collins, UK Biobank Principal Investigator and Chief Executive.
“Our hope is that this information will allow researchers to better
understand the human genome and identify therapeutic strategies
that can specifically target the underlying causes of disease.”
“We are proud to be involved in this exciting project and
believe the collected information will yield important insights for
the global scientific community,” said Anthony Philippakis, Chief
Data Officer at the Broad Institute. “By combining the expertise of
the healthcare industry and the non-profit research community, we
can carefully assess how biomedical data at this unprecedented
scale is best utilized and hopefully accelerate the path from
genetic discoveries towards novel therapeutics.”
The UK Biobank whole exome sequencing data has been generated as
part of the UK Biobank Exome Sequencing Consortium, formed in 2018,
which, in addition to AbbVie, Biogen and Pfizer, includes
additional industry partners, supporting a trend across the
industry to collaborate in a precompetitive manner for generating
the source data for an improved understanding of human biology and
disease.
The browser can be accessed via https://genebass.org.
About AbbVieAbbVie’s mission is to discover and
deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today
and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a
remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic
areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology,
women’s health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and
services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more
information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow
@abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and
LinkedIn.AbbVie Forward-Looking StatementsSome
statements in this news release are, or may be considered,
forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “project” and similar expressions, among others,
generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that
these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to
realize the expected benefits from AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan
plc (“Allergan”), failure to promptly and effectively integrate
Allergan’s businesses, competition from other products, challenges
to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and
development process, adverse litigation or government action,
changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the
impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as
COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive,
governmental, technological and other factors that may affect
AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of
AbbVie's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking
statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except
as required by law.
About BiogenAt Biogen, our mission is clear: we
are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and
delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with
serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as
related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global
biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles
Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners
Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today Biogen has the leading
portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced
the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy,
commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics and is focused on
advancing research programs in multiple sclerosis and
neuroimmunology, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuromuscular
disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry,
immunology, acute neurology and neuropathic pain.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors
on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media –
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
Biogen Safe HarborThis news release contains
forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, about a new platform to access results from
analyses of whole exome sequencing data from 300,000 research
participants from the UK Biobank and the related results; and the
potential advancement of science and treatments for diseases. These
statements may be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,”
“intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would”
and other words and terms of similar meaning. You should not place
undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data
presented.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in
such statements, including without limitation actual timing and the
research related to the new platform; uncertainty of success in the
research efforts related to the platform; the risks of other
unexpected hurdles, costs or delays; and third party collaboration
risks. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors
that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s
expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should
consider this cautionary statement as well as the risk factors
identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and
in other reports it has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. These statements are based on Biogen’s current beliefs
and expectations and speak only as of the date of this news
release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’
LivesAt Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources
to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve
their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and
value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care
products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day,
Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to
advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge
the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our
responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative
biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care
providers, governments and local communities to support and expand
access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all
who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important
to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to
learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on
Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us
on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE:The information
contained in this release is as of July 8, 2021. Pfizer assumes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this
release as the result of new information or future events or
developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about a
browser, “genebass.org”, and its potential benefits, that involves
substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
whether our collaboration with Biogen and AbbVie will be
successful; the uncertainties inherent in research and development,
including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints,
commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials,
regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or
launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new
clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; the
risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing
interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether
regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and
results from our clinical studies; whether and when drug
applications for any potential drug candidates may be filed in any
jurisdictions; whether and when regulatory authorities in any
jurisdictions may approve any such applications, which will depend
on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether
the product’s benefits outweigh its known risks and determination
of the product’s efficacy and, if approved, whether any such
potential drug candidates will be commercially successful;
decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling,
manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could
affect the availability or commercial potential of any such drug
candidates; the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and
financial results; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q,
including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and
“Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future
Results”, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of
which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.
About the UK BiobankUK Biobank is a large-scale
biomedical database and research resource containing genetic,
lifestyle and health information from half a million UK
participants.
UK Biobank’s database, which includes blood samples, heart and
brain scans and genetic data of the 500,000 volunteer participants,
is globally accessible to approved researchers who are undertaking
health-related research that’s in the public interest.
UK Biobank recruited 500,000 people aged between 40-69 years in
2006-2010 from across the UK. With their consent, they provided
detailed information about their lifestyle and physical measures
and had blood, urine and saliva samples collected and stored for
future analysis.
UK Biobank’s research resource is a major contributor in the
advancement of modern medicine and treatment, enabling better
understanding of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide
range of serious and life-threatening illnesses – including cancer,
heart diseases and stroke. Since the UK Biobank resource was opened
for research use in April 2012, over 20,000 researchers from 90+
countries have been approved to use it and more than 2,000
peer-reviewed papers that used the resource have now been
published.
UK Biobank is generously supported by its founding funders the
Wellcome Trust and UK Medical Research Council, as well as the
British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Department of Health,
Northwest Regional Development Agency and Scottish Government. The
organisation has over 150 dedicated members of staff, based in
multiple locations across the UK.
BIOGEN MEDIA CONTACT: |
|
BIOGEN INVESTOR CONTACT: |
Allison Parks |
|
Mike
Hencke |
+1 781 464
3260 |
|
+1 781 464 2442 |
Public.affairs@biogen.com |
|
IR@biogen.com |
|
|
|
PFIZER MEDIA CONTACT: |
|
PFIZER INVESTOR CONTACT: |
Kit Longley |
|
Bryan
Dunn |
+1 929 930
0911 |
|
+1 212 733 8917 |
Kit.Longley@pfizer.com |
|
Bryan.Dunn@pfizer.com |
|
|
|
ABBVIE MEDIA CONTACT: |
|
ABBVIE INVESTOR CONTACT: |
Frank
Benenati |
|
Liz Shea |
+1 224 688
4169 |
|
+1 847 935 2211 |
frank.benenati@abbvie.com |
|
liz.shea@abbvie.com |
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