Although they are an ocean apart, Canada and the Netherlands have found common scientific ground. Genome Canada and the Netherlands Genomics Initiative signed an agreement October 15 to join forces on large-scale genomics projects. The two-and-a-half year deal is intended to promote exchanges between the countries' academic scientists, as well as build bridges between biotech and large drug companies, said Anie Perrault, vice president of communications for Genome Canada in Ottawa.

Sharing discoveries and partnering to help find and fund research on larger and more difficult genomics projects, will maximize both countries' existing strengths, Perrault noted. "We bring scientists with common interests together and we show them how much they can benefit by being together, not only in terms of money and investment, but also in sharing scientific results," she said. "It's about leveraging what we [Canada] have to make it bigger, quicker."

During the first year of a two-phase...

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