To fast-track the development of innovative medicines, a biotech start-up is opening access to its extensive genomic and bioinformatics resources.
De-identified DNA samples stored in robotic refridgerator - Nashville Biosciences -Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Through the recently launched Nashville Biosciences, pharmaceutical, biologics and other life science companies can leverage the wealth of data contained within the Medical Center’s genomics and health information technology resources.
This access will help pharmaceutical and biopharma firms accelerate their discovery and development of new treatments for patients, while they support institutional research efforts.
Industry and academic collaboration
Nashville Biosciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).
The biotech will serve as a commercial interface between pharmaceutical companies and VUMC’s extensive genomic and bioinformatics research resources.
Genomics and informatics
“We’ve only just started to scratch the surface of what is possible with genomics and informatics resources that can be coalesced for research in a comprehensive academic medical center,” said Gordon Bernard, MD, Executive Vice President for Research for VUMC.
The resources include its comprehensive databank BioVU® which contains more than 250,000 DNA samples collected over the last decade, coupled with 2.8 million de-identified patient records. It also features analytical methods developed for “mining” DNA datasets.
VUMC has already worked with a number of leading medicine and diagnostics companies to help them discover new treatments in their disease areas of interest, including:
- Celgene Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company based in Summit, New Jersey
- Pfizer Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in New York, New York
- Goldfinch Bio Inc., a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts focused on precision medicines for patients with kidney diseases
- Population Bio, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Melville, New York
These initiatives will transition to the new company shortly.