Cantanhede, Portugal, and Shenzhen, China, September 30, 2013 - China's genomics powerhouse BGI and Portugal-based start-up Coimbra Genomics today announced the initiation of a joint project to unravel the genetic basis of gastric cancer. With an initial budget of over $900k, the project will be one of the first large-scale genomic studies this field, and will involve experts from the IPATIMUP, a leading cancer research institute based in Oporto, Portugal, with a particularly strong track-record on gastric cancer.
"This collaboration forges new ties between BGI and Coimbra Genomics to share and exchange knowledge and research ideas. We expect our join efforts can yield more breakthroughs for better conquering stomach cancer." said Yuan Liu, Europe business development director of BGI Tech, one of BGI's affiliates. "We strongly encourage more European researchers to join us in our efforts to further accelerate the genomic applications in human health, agriculture, bio-energy as well as other innovative research."
Coimbra Genomics CEO and co-founder Nuno Arantes-Oliveira added, "We are delighted to engage with BGI in this pioneering project and hope it becomes a great example of Sino-EU research collaboration to produce excellent science and, above all, to pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for serious diseases."
With almost one million new cases every year, gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The disease is particularly common in East and Southeast Asia, as well as in Latin America and parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. The genetic basis of the disease is still poorly understood; early diagnosis is difficult and there is great need for effective treatments.
About Coimbra Genomics
Coimbra Genomics S.A. was launched in 2013 to develop clinical decision support systems based on patients' whole genome sequencing. The company also carries out genomic studies in areas of particular medical need. Benefiting from close connections to the medical community, Coimbra Genomics raised a first, seed round of funding from two venture capital funds in July 2013. The company's founders include software firm Critical Software, the Biocant Park, and several individual scientists and entrepreneurs.
About BGI
BGI was founded in 1999 with the mission of being a premier scientific partner to the global research community. The goal of BGI is to make leading-edge genomic science highly accessible through its investment in infrastructure that leverages the best available technology, economies of scale, and expert bioinformatics resources. BGI, which includes both private non-profit genomic research institutes and sequencing application commercial units, and its affiliates, BGI Americas, headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and BGI Europe, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, have established partnerships and collaborations with leading academic and government research institutions as well as global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, supporting a variety of disease, agricultural, environmental, and related applications.
About BGI Tech
BGI Tech, established in 2012, is a subsidiary of BGI, one of the world's leading genomics research institutes. By providing superior scientific and technological services, BGI Tech aims to be the Premier Scientific Partner to researchers around the world. Based on BGI's rich research experience, advanced technology platforms and world-class researchers and bioinformaticians, BGI Tech provides One Stop and Total Solution services for its global biomedical, agricultural, and environmental customers. We excel in next-generation and Sanger sequencing services, bioinformatics analysis, protein mass spectrometry analysis, bio-cloud computing, and personalized consulting services, etc. BGI Tech is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, with more than 1,500 employees. We provide products and services globally, with facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific area. To date, BGI Tech has provided premier services to more than 7,000 research institutes and 20,000 scientific partners, which resulted in more than 600 publications, with over 100 of them in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science.
Contact information:
Ms. Catherine Wen Gao
Marketing Communication Manager
BGI Tech Europe
gaowen@bgitechsolutions.com
Tel: +45 81730147