Genomics plc and GSK collaborate to harness polygenic risk scores in clinical trials

Genomics plc and GSK announced a new collaboration to explore the potential for using polygenic risk scores (PRS) in clinical trials, to improve understanding of disease risk and patient selection, which could support optimization of trial design. Genomics plc is a global leader in PRS-powered technologies and approaches and has developed extensive genetic databases and algorithms to understand the genetic component of diseases.

Genomics plc and GSK will investigate several applications for Genomics’ suite of PRS-powered tools, including the potential for PRS tools to reduce the number of trial participants and shortening study timescales and improving outcomes of both proof-of-concept and pivotal trials.

We could not be more excited to be collaborating with GSK on this programme. PRS-based approaches have the potential to support clinical trial design. Using PRS to get the right people into studies could have a potential positive impact, including in the reduction of trial size and timescale, leading to efficiencies in drug development.”

Professor Sir Peter Donnelly FRS, FMedSci, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Genomics plc

Genetic factors play a key role in disease susceptibility, progression, and response to drugs. These effects are often a result of many thousands of genetic changes that can be captured as a single number or PRS. This work will explore the opportunity for PRS-based approaches to support patient selection, and understand how that may impact clinical trials through reducing the number of patients recruited or shortening the duration of trials.

Robert Scott, Vice President of Human Genetics and Genomics at GSK: “Genomics plc is leading in both the development and real-world application of PRS-based approaches, opening up new frontiers in genomic medicine. At GSK, we have demonstrated the opportunity for genetics to guide drug discovery and development; I look forward to working with Genomics plc to further explore the potential for PRS to support clinical trial design.”