Pfizer and 23andMe to research bowel disease
Pfizer and US-based personal genetics company 23andMe are partnering on research into Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). They plan to enrol 10,000 US residents initially, to explore the genetic factors associated with the onset, progression, severity and response to treatments for IBD, with the ultimate aim of finding effective treatments.
Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, senior vice president, Biotherapeutics Research and Development, Pfizer, commented, "Pfizer is committed to bringing forward new treatments for patients suffering with IBD. By enhancing our understanding of the underlying biology of the disease, we hope to better support our clinical research activities and development programmes."
Currently Pfizer is conducting phase III trials on tofacitinib for ulcerative colitis (UC) and a phase II study on Crohn's, as well as testing two phase II monoclonal antibodies in IBD.
Individuals who are not current 23andMe customers and who have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or UC by a qualified physician are eligible to take part. Those enrolled will need to provide a DNA sample (saliva), answer online surveys, and agree to share their data with researchers. The participants' data will be used in further IBD studies around the world to accelerate the development of effective treatments.
To learn more about the study, visit www.23andMe.com/ibd
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