Illumina Technology Selected by Amgen

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Illumina, Inc. has announced an agreement with Amgen for the purchase and installation of a large, multi-component genetic analysis system for Infinium® genotyping.
Amgen, in collaboration with the Brigham & Women's Hospital will use Illumina technology to analyze approximately 28,000 samples at Amgen's facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts as part of the Women's Genome Health Study.
The study will look at genetic variation in American women that may underlie a range of serious illness such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
"Illumina is proud to be at the forefront of genetic analysis, and to have been selected by Amgen to provide the technology needed to complete a study of this magnitude," said Jay Flatley, Illumina President and CEO.
"We remain committed to helping researchers identify inherited genetic differences, moving us closer towards the understanding of the causes and treatments for these conditions."
Using the HumanHap300-Duo BeadChip, the Women's Genome Health Study will genotype 28,000 women, all of whom have been clinically monitored for ten years and tracked for the development of common diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
By comparing the potential genetic variations in women with one of these diseases to those who have remained healthy, researchers hope to identify inherited genetic differences among women that may lead to the development of disease.
"This groundbreaking study may constitute a major step toward realizing the promise of personalized medicine," according to Dr. Paul Ridker of Brigham & Women's Hospital.
"By analyzing data from this study physicians may be able to identify which of their patients are genetically predisposed to diseases such as heart disease and breast cancer, and potentially tailor their treatment approach to those patients accordingly."