Genecentric acquires Select to work on biomarker discovery

22-Aug-2019 - Last updated on 22-Aug-2019 at 13:37 GMT

(Image: Getty/gorodenkoff)

Genecentric’s immuno-oncology drug development solutions are bolstered through acquisition of Select Immunogenomics’ biomarker development services.

Genecentric Therapeutics, an RNA-based genomic solutions provider based in Research Triangle Park, NC, US, acquired Select Immunogenomics.

Following the acquisition, Select’s technology platform of data analysis and biomarker development services will be integrated in Genecentric’s, ‘substantially’ growing the ability to advance predictive therapeutic response gene signatures, according to Michael Milburn, Genecentric’s CEO.

The companies will work together to capture these response signatures, aiming to enable researchers to identify the right patients for oncology drugs, as well as to improve the drug response rates and durability.

“There is growing recognition that many factors beyond gene mutations contribute to drug response, including gene expression, activation, and signaling pathways as well as adaptive and innate immune status,” Myla Lai-Goldman, executive chair of GeneCentric said in a statement.

Identifying which drugs will benefit which patients is a ‘huge challenge’ in the field, which the two companies aim to address, according to Benjamin Vincent, co-founder of Select Immunogenomics.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.