FOR RELEASE ON |
10 December 2019 |
IP Group plc - Portfolio company Oxford Nanopore Technologies selected as sequencing partner for world's most comprehensive genome programme
IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) ("IP Group" or "the Group"), the developer of intellectual property-based businesses, notes that its portfolio company Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd ("Oxford Nanopore") has been selected as a sequencing partner for the 'Genome Program' launched by Abu Dhabi's Department of Health.
The project aims to be the first of its kind worldwide to provide citizens with their own high quality genome as a baseline and incorporate genomic data into healthcare management. Led by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the project will be run by Abu Dhabi-based technology leader Group 42, in collaboration with global genome sequencing leaders BGI and Oxford Nanopore.
Oxford Nanopore noted that its sequencing technology will be used in this population-scale project, providing information-rich sequencing at ultra-high scale. With the recent launch of the PromethION 48 device, Oxford Nanopore offers the only technology that can sequence long or ultra-long fragments of DNA, at the scale required for population-scale projects. One PromethION device can deliver more than 7Tb of sequence data in a single run of 48-flow cells.
Alan Aubrey, Chief Executive Officer of IP Group, said: "We're delighted to see Oxford Nanopore selected for a project of this scale which is further impressive validation of nanopore sequencing. This is a significant milestone for Oxford Nanopore and a great example of groundbreaking British innovation that is being adopted around the world."
IP Group holds an undiluted beneficial stake of 18.1% in Oxford Nanopore, valued at £274.1 million.
The full press release follows.
For more information, please contact:
IP Group plc |
www.ipgroupplc.com |
Alan Aubrey, Chief Executive Officer
Greg Smith, Chief Financial Officer
Liz Vaughan-Adams, Communications |
+44 (0) 20 7444 0050
+44 (0) 20 7444 0062/+44 (0) 7979 853802 |
Charlotte Street Partners |
|
Andrew Wilson |
+44 (0) 7810 636995 |
David Gaffney |
+44 (0) 7854 609998 |
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Notes for editors
About IP Group
IP Group is a leading intellectual property commercialisation company which focuses on evolving great ideas, mainly from its partner universities, into world-changing businesses. The Group has pioneered a unique approach to developing these ideas and the resulting businesses by providing access to business building expertise, capital (through its 100%-owned FCA-authorised subsidiaries IP Capital and Parkwalk Advisors), networks, recruitment and business support. IP Group has a strong track record of success and its portfolio comprises holdings in early-stage to mature businesses across life sciences and technology. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the code IPO.
Group holdings in portfolio companies reflect the undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt, unless otherwise explicitly stated.
For more information, please visit our website at www.ipgroupplc.com.
ENDS
Department Of Health unveils world's most comprehensive Genome Program, Transforming health and well-being with genomics and Artificial Intelligence, the nation's leading strengths
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi announced today the launch of the Genome Program, a national project set to use large-scale genomic data to improve health and well-being.
This ground-breaking program aims to be the first of its kind worldwide to provide citizens with their own high quality genome as a baseline and incorporate genomic data into healthcare management. This will be achieved by using advanced sequencing technology to generate the highest quality, most comprehensive genome data. One of the world's top supercomputers, Group 42's Artemis, located in Abu Dhabi, will be used to analyse the massive amount of data and generate new insights.
The understanding of genetic variation in the Arab population is a challenge due to the lack of a high-quality Emirati reference genome. This program will enrich the current data by producing a reference genome specific to UAE citizens and drive large scale scientific discovery. The objective of the Genome Program is to advance health management and position Abu Dhabi as an omics-driven research and innovation hub.
Commenting on the initiative, H.E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, said: "Embracing innovation and providing a comprehensive healthcare program in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi remains at the forefront of our priorities. Two of the world's most exciting technologies - DNA sequencing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - will come together in this project. The Genome Program will enhance our knowledge of citizen's genomes and establish a strong foundation of health and well-being."
The successful outcome of the program will equip physicians and other healthcare practitioners with high quality information and knowledge, which will enable them to provide advanced diagnosis and treatment options as well as deliver personalized and preventive programs tailored to an individual's unique genetic makeup.
This ambitious program will be led by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), executed, and delivered by Abu Dhabi-based technology leader Group 42, in collaboration with global genome sequencing leaders BGI and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) will apply the results of the Genome Program to ensure the delivery of world-class healthcare services.
Peng Xiao, CEO of Group 42, Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, and Jian Wang, co-founder and chairman of BGI, expressed their commitment and cooperation to ensure the success of the Genome Program, which is expected to attract worldwide interest and propel a wave of innovation, education and business in Abu Dhabi in areas of bioinformatics, healthcare, personalized medicine, research and development.
For more information visit https://pgp.ae/
