Regeneron, Geisinger collaborate for research

Tarrytown, NY-Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Geisinger Health System have announced a major research collaboration focused on studying the genetic determinants of human disease.

“We are pleased to be embarking on this next generation human genetic sequencing project with Geisinger,” said Leonard S. Schleifer, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Regeneron.

The new research collaboration will include one of the largest US-populations of participants for the analysis and sequencing of genetic material and comparison to long-term health outcomes.

During the 5-year collaboration term, Geisinger plans to collect samples from more than 100,000 consented patient volunteers, while Regeneron-through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Regeneron Genetics Center LLC-will perform sequencing and genotyping to generate de-identified genomic data.

The size and scope of the study are meant to allow great precision in identifying and validating the associations between gene and human disease.

“For Geisinger, this relationship is about the potential to improve individualized patient care,” said David H. Ledbetter, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Geisinger. “We expect that many of our patients will directly benefit from their participation in this research because of Geisinger’s ability to validate and return clinically actionable results to them, and all of our patients will benefit from the knowledge we gain I how to help set the standard for genomically informed care.”

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