ISTOCK, FOTOHUNTERIn a deal worth up to $60 million, direct-to-consumer genetic testing firm 23andMe is partnering with biotech giant Genentech to analyze whole-genome sequence data from around 3,000 people in an effort to find new therapeutic targets for Parkinson’s disease according to Forbes.
“Genentech is dedicated to bringing forth treatments for patients with unmet medical needs,” James Sabry, senior vice president and global head of Genentech partnering, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to be working with 23andMe and its diverse database of genomic data to support our research and development programs.”
Through the deal, Genentech will gain access to 23andMe’s extensive Parkinson’s disease community. Following the end of the multi-year partnership, 23andMe will be able to further analyze the data, and make it available to other researchers.
“[I] believe this can help accelerate meaningful discoveries for Parkinson’s patients,” 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki said in the release.
