Celera entered into nonexclusive license agreements with Perlegen Sciences and deCODE genetics to use genetic markers discovered by each company in diagnostic products. The transaction will enhance Celera's capabilities of developing diagnostics for cardiovascular and type 2 diabetese as well as allow the firm to create prognostic products.
The agreement with Perlegen grants Celera the rights to use the predictive markers for coronary heart disease on chromosome 9p21. Celera also obtained a family of patents covering the combination of multiloci markers for determining an individual’s predisposition to multifactorial disease or for ascertaining an appropriate course of treatment.
The deCODE agreement is for markers on chromosome 4q25 associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke as well as SNPs in the TCF7L2 gene linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In addition, deCODE is also providing markers located on chromosome 9p21 associated with increased risk of heart attack and aortic aneurysm. Celera will pay an up-front payment and royalties on certain sales of testing products incorporating the patented markers.
"We believe access to these highly replicated markers, which complement our internal proprietary genetic discoveries in cardiovascular disease, such as KIF6 and LPA, furthers Celera's commitment to be a leading provider of genetic tests used routinely in personalizing disease management," says Kathy Ordoñez, CEO of Celera.
Mutations in chromosome 9p21 have been associated with an approximately 30–40% increased risk of coronary heart disease, the companies say. Variants in the chromosome have also been linked to increased risk of early-onset heart attack.
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