r&d briefs

UK biotechnology company Oxagen, which specialises in genetics-based target identification and validation, has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Pfizer to investigate the association of certain Pfizer-nominated genes with asthma. The goal of the collaboration is to validate whether the candidate genes influence susceptibility to asthma. Oxagen will perform SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) identification and genotyping of genes nominated by Pfizer within Oxagen's extensive set of asthma samples with the aim of identifying SNPs associated with respiratory disease.

Hamburg-based Evotec OAI has granted a patent licence to Roche Diagnostics, the German affiliate of the Roche Diagnostics division, covering the melting curve analysis of investigated gene fragments in PCR reactions. The application of Evotec OAI's patented technology in instrumentation and kits substantially contributes to the accuracy of data of diagnostic kits. They are designed to detect and quantify target genes in diseased tissues (e.g. hidden tumors), to identify infectious agents like HIV, or to design a therapeutic regimen based on patient specific single nucleotide polymorphisms pattern. Roche is applying this method in its LightCycler technology.

San Diego-based Diversa Corporation has been granted a US patent for its methods of using DNA synthesis for evolving and screening biomolecules. This patent expands Diversa's proprietary DirectEvolution technologies and further strengthens its patent estate, which consists of 65 issued patents and more than 300 filed patent applications.