New Company Launched to Promote London’s Genetic Research Capability
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London Genetics, an agency created to facilitate partnerships between industry and academic centres of excellence in genetics and genomics-based research across London, has been launched at the Genesis meeting.
London Genetics is an organisation that has been formed from a consortium of seven world-renowned medical research institutes to generate and manage partnerships between academic and clinical researchers and the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
London Genetics’ partners are King’s College London; University College London, Imperial College London, Queen Mary, St George’s, University of London, The London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and The Institute of Cancer Research. The Company, limited by guarantee, is funded by the London Development Agency.
A key strength of London Genetics is its ability to commission multi-centre studies through its partners and provide a point of contact for companies seeking to carry out genetics and genomics-based studies in London.
London Genetics claims that it can meet the requirements of its customers in areas such as access to large, well characterised, clinical cohorts; translational research; pharmacogenetics; DNA diagnostics and high-throughput genomics by using its subject knowledge and networks.
In addition, London Genetics has access to cutting edge technologies, research methods and expertise in bioinformatics, data handling and analysis.
The launch of London Genetics also sees the appointment of Professor Nick Lench as its first Chief Executive Officer.
Professor Lench, said: “London is a leading world centre for research in clinical, molecular and medical genetics and genomics having a huge number of researchers and practitioners in the field, as well as a first-class track record in gene discovery, genetic disease diagnosis and treatment. The vision for London Genetics is to offer its customers a gateway to London’s world class genetics and genomics capabilities through its partner institutions.”
Professor Stephen Smith, Chair of the Board of London Genetics, and Principal of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London said: “Professor Lench’s appointment as CEO of London Genetics will be absolutely crucial to the success of the Company. He has a huge amount of experience across both the academic and business sectors, and I am sure this will prove invaluable in fostering partnerships between the two.”
