According to a team of pharmaceutical and academic scientists, drug development success rates will improve if drug developers let genomics guide their choice of molecular targets for research.
Last week, GSK and 23andMe unveiled a collaboration that will combine genetic resources and data science with science and medicine to improve known associations between diseases and specific genes.
With over 5 million customers, 23andMe offers those with an interest in genetics the opportunity to learn about their personal genetic profile.
23andMe customers can also choose to participate in research and contribute their information to a database, which is now the world’s largest genetic and phenotypic resource.
GSK brings drug discovery and development capabilities across a range of diseases and modalities, including small molecule, biopharmaceuticals and cell and gene therapies.
“Partnering with 23andMe, an organization whose vision and capabilities are transforming the understanding of how genes influence health, will help to shift our research and development organization to be ‘driven by genetics’, and increase the impact GSK can have on patients,” said Dr. Hal Barron, chief scientific officer, and president R&D, GSK.
Together, GSK and 23andMe will focus on translating genetic and phenotypic data into R&D activities that will:
Improve target selection to allow safer, more effective ‘precision’ medicines to be discovered.
Support identification of patient subgroups that are more likely to respond to targeted treatments.
Allow more effective identification and recruitment of patients for clinical studies.
“By leveraging the genetic and phenotypic information provided by consenting 23andMe customers and combining it with GSK’s incredible expertise and resources in drug discovery, we believe we can more quickly make treating and curing diseases a reality,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO, and co-founder of 23andMe.
Both GSK and 23andMe will share in the proceeds from treatments and medicines arising from the collaboration.
Additionally, the press release said GSK has made a $300M equity investment in 23andMe.
Participating in 23andMe’s research is always voluntary and requires customers to consent to participate. For those who do consent, their information will be de-identified, so no individual will be identifiable to GSK.
Both companies say they have stringent security protections when it comes to collecting, storing and transferring information about research participants.
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