Two leading biotechnology companies collaborate to gain further understanding of Parkinson’s disease

By Kate Bass, B.Sc.Jan 9 2015

This week 23andMe (a genetic testing company) and Genentech (medical research company of the Roche Group) agreed a collaboration to undertake whole genome sequencing for 3,000 patients with Parkinson’s disease. The genetic information will be collected by 23andMe and used by Genentech to identify new therapeutic targets for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson's disease affects one in every 500 people, which equates to around 1 million people in the US and 127,000 in the UK. It is a progressive neurological condition arising from a lack of dopamine in the brain that affects a person ability to control movement. It is not known why people get the condition there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. Although currently available treatments can improve symptoms, more effective treatments are needed that can slow or halt progression of the disease.

23andMe Inc. is the leading personal genetics company and has used genetic research to produce home gene-testing kits. Their president Andy Page said:

We are incredibly excited to work with Genentech again, and for the potential to make true breakthroughs in therapeutic research and treatment for Parkinson’s disease...This collaboration is truly emblematic of both companies’ broader vision of improving the human condition through genetic research.

James Sabry, senior vice president at Genentech, commented:

Genentech is dedicated to bringing forth treatments for patients with unmet medical needs...We are thrilled to be working with 23andMe and its diverse database of genomic data to support our research and development programmes.

23andMe has already worked in Parkinson's disease with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and have built a community of patients and their family members (the largest Parkinson’s disease community of its kind) who have contributed DNA samples. Such samples will give Genentech the means to identify potential therapeutics based on genome sequencing and survey data. However, in line with 23andMe’s commitment to the privacy of research participants, data will be shared anonymously and only from those individuals who provide explicit permission for 23andMe to do so.

The collaboration is planned to last for several years and offers new hope for improving the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Further information

23andMe. www.23andMe.com

Genentech Neuroscience. http://www.gene.com/scientists/neuroscience