The Alliance for Genomic Discovery welcomes Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, and Novo Nordisk
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Insights
The announcement of Illumina Inc.'s collaboration with Nashville Biosciences and the expansion of the Alliance for Genomic Discovery (AGD) to include new pharmaceutical members is a significant development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. The commitment to co-fund whole-genome sequencing of 250,000 DNA samples represents a substantial investment in genomic research, which is a critical aspect of personalized medicine and drug discovery. The inclusion of companies like Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK and Novo Nordisk alongside existing members signifies a strong industry collaboration that could lead to accelerated therapeutic discoveries.
The completion of 86,000 whole genomes in 2023, particularly those from a diverse ancestry cohort, enhances the genetic diversity of the data, which is crucial for understanding disease prevalence and treatment efficacy across different populations. This can lead to more inclusive drug development and potentially reduce health disparities. For investors, this collaboration signals a strategic move by Illumina and its partners to stay at the forefront of innovation in genomics, which could lead to long-term growth and market leadership.
The strategic importance of multiomic data in drug discovery cannot be overstated. The partnership between Illumina and AGD members to sequence a large cohort and the application of large-scale analysis tools to this data is poised to identify novel therapeutic targets. This could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of complex diseases. The use of a diverse ancestry cohort is particularly noteworthy as it addresses a significant gap in genomic data, which has traditionally been skewed towards European populations.
From a medical research perspective, the implications of having access to such a rich dataset mean that pharmaceutical companies can potentially reduce the time and cost associated with the drug development process. This could result in a more efficient pipeline and quicker time-to-market for new therapies, benefiting patients and stakeholders alike. The collaborative model also suggests a trend towards shared resources in the pharmaceutical industry, which could become more common as the cost of genomic research continues to fall.
The financial implications of Illumina's expanded partnership through the AGD are multifaceted. On one hand, the immediate cost implications for Illumina and its partners include the investment in sequencing and data analysis. However, the potential return on investment is significant, given the value of genomic data in identifying new drug targets and streamlining the drug development process. For Illumina, the increased engagement with pharmaceutical companies may lead to a stronger revenue stream from its sequencing services.
For the pharmaceutical members of AGD, the collaborative funding model may offer a cost-effective approach to accessing high-quality genomic data. This can be particularly advantageous for smaller firms that might otherwise be unable to finance such extensive research independently. In the long-term, the success of this initiative could result in increased market capitalization for these companies, driven by the development of successful new drugs and therapies. Investors will likely monitor the progress of this alliance closely, as it could have a significant impact on the valuation of the companies involved.
AGD delivered ~86,000 whole genomes in 2023, including a unique diverse ancestry cohort
Expanded pharma engagement enhances AGD's ability to develop multiomic datasets
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), GSK and Novo Nordisk join founding member organizations AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Merck. Together the pharma members will co-fund the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 250,000 DNA samples and have access to the resulting data for use in drug discovery and therapeutic development.
"Together with NashBio and the now eight member organizations in the Alliance for Genomic Discovery, we will generate and analyze more genomic, multimodal phenotypic, and multiomic data in a turnkey manner," said Joydeep Goswami, chief financial officer and chief strategy and corporate development officer of Illumina. "This rich dataset will enable the discovery of highly actionable therapeutic targets and improve the speed, probability of success, and efficiency of the discovery and development process."
In 2023, AGD completed whole-genome sequencing of approximately 86,000 of the planned 250,000 DNA samples from VUMC's BioVU® biobank, including the initial diverse ancestry cohort of 35,000 individuals primarily of African ancestry. The AGD members are applying innovative, large-scale analysis tools to the WGS data to help identify disease associations and drug targets for intervention.
"We are thrilled to welcome these latest members to AGD and to work with all of these organizations to advance the study of the genome and improve human health," said Leeland Ekstrom, PhD, chief executive officer of NashBio. "With this initial phase of the alliance now well underway, we are excited to explore possible future additions of other multiomic data that will expand this incredible resource."
Use of forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the expectation for lower costs related to the storing and managing of genomic data costs. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are: (i) challenges inherent in researching, developing and launching new technologies; (ii) our and our partners' ability to deploy new products, services, and applications, and to expand the markets for genomics-related products and services; and (iii) the challenges associated with multiparty collaborations, including our reliance on the performance of such partners, together with other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.
About the Alliance for Genomic Discovery
Launched in 2022 by Illumina and NashBio, the Alliance for Genomic Discovery is a multiyear endeavor aiming to accelerate development of therapeutics through large-scale genomics and the establishment of a preeminent clinical genomic resource. Member companies from pharma and biopharma leverage Illumina next-generation sequencing platforms to identify disease associations and targets for intervention by analyzing whole-genome sequence data derived from Vanderbilt University Medical Center's BioVU®, an extensive, high-quality biobank of more than 250,000 de-identified human DNA samples and associated longitudinal, structured and de-identified clinical data. One of the main objectives of the alliance is to help narrow the gap in the diversity of genomic data, and ultimately work toward a more equitable representation of ancestries in genetic research. Learn more.
About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
About NashBio
Nashville Biosciences, LLC (NashBio), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), was created to harness the Medical Center's extensive genomic and bioinformatics resources for drug and diagnostics discovery and development. Leveraging Vanderbilt University innovation, NashBio serves as a commercial interface between outside companies and the formidable research capabilities housed within VUMC, including BioVU®, one of the world's most comprehensive genetic databases linked to de-identified medical records with years of longitudinal clinical data. This unique asset is one of the largest and highest quality of its kind, providing an opportunity to guide R&D activity in biotech, pharma, diagnostics, medical devices, and other life sciences applications. For more information, please visit nashbio.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Investors:
Salli Schwartz
858-291-6421
IR@illumina.com
Media:
David McAlpine
347-327-1336
PR@illumina.com
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SOURCE Illumina, Inc.
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