Big Data and Genomics Meet the Cloud: the First Unified Global Platform for Precision Medicine

SHANGHAI; CAMBRIDGE, Mass.; and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: WX), whose leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary WuXi NextCODE Genomics, which provides the most proven system for using sequence data to better diagnose and treat disease, and DNAnexus, the leader in cloud-based genome informatics and data management, have formed a strategic alliance that aims to accelerate the use of genomics to benefit patients worldwide.

Now available via a single platform are the sequence data analysis suite that has analyzed more genomes than any other; pioneering Silicon Valley genomics cloud technology; and global, open-access drug discovery and development capabilities serving the life science industry:

• Bringing cloud-based genomics to China and Chinese genomics to the world
• Speeding the development and delivery of sequence-based diagnostics worldwide
• Expanding research with collaborations and datasets of unprecedented scope and size
• Streamlining the development of personalized medicine and companion diagnostics
• Leveraging WuXi's leading genomics and R&D through DNAnexus's global cloud

"This strategic investment and partnership bring together the world's best technologies to enable any company or institution to leverage the full power of genomics and our R&D capabilities at any time, from anywhere," commented Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi PharmaTech. "By connecting through a compliant cloud everything from CLIA sequencing to drug discovery and development to companion diagnostics, we are empowering clinicians, institutions and life science companies to use genomics to benefit patients more globally and effectively than ever before."

"This alliance with DNAnexus will fuel innovation across the science and business of genomics and make our collective capabilities even more valuable to the range of our customers on four continents," said Hannes Smarason, Chief Operating Officer of WuXi NextCODE. "We see this transforming the way large-scale sequence data is applied, underpinning virtual diagnostics enterprises, breakthroughs in rare disease and the rapid advance of more targeted, personalized medicine."

"Our customers are global in scope, and we're teaming with WuXi NextCODE to extend the power and geographic reach of our cloud solution to support our partners' efforts," said Richard Daly, CEO of DNAnexus. "China has 20% of the world's sequencing capacity and is a pillar of cutting-edge science worldwide. The DNAnexus platform enables research, drug development and clinical diagnostic testing worldwide, and this alliance and investment allows us to expand our global network for genomic medicine."

With WuXi NextCODE's unique genomic database model and clinical and research interfaces directly available on the DNAnexus cloud, users will be able to store and interpret their sequence data and collaborate with colleagues around the world through one platform. The companies will also provide and host the same platform and capabilities within China, in full compliance with local regulations. Users will be able to use their genomic data seamlessly in tandem with the open-access capability and technology platform that WuXi offers to the global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device industry.

WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX) is a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, with operations in China and the United States. As a research-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi PharmaTech provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies with a broad and integrated portfolio of laboratory and manufacturing services throughout the drug and medical device R&D process. WuXi PharmaTech's services are designed to help its global partners in shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug and medical device R&D. WuXi is also building a platform to provide clinical diagnostic services directly to physicians and their patients globally. The operating subsidiaries of WuXi PharmaTech are known as WuXi AppTec.  For further information, please visit http://www.wuxiapptec.com.

WuXi NextCODE offers uniquely comprehensive and integrated capabilities for using the genome to create better medicine. These include a full range of sequencing through our CLIA-certified laboratory; the world's leading genome sequence analysis system; a novel database architecture that makes it possible to query, manage, store and share massive genomic data with unrivalled speed and efficiency; and the know-how and experience to apply genomics to optimize every aspect of drug development. With offices in Shanghai; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Reykjavik, we enable clinicians and researchers at institutions and companies worldwide to use the full power of the whole genome to better diagnose and treat disease.

DNAnexus combines expertise in cloud computing and bioinformatics to create a global network for genomic medicine. DNAnexus provides security, scalability and collaboration for enterprises and organizations that are pursuing genomic-based approaches to health in order to accelerate medical discovery. Backed by Google Ventures, TPG Biotech, Claremont Creek Ventures and others, the company is supporting customers around the world that are tackling some of the most challenging and exciting opportunities in human health. For more information, please visit: https://dnanexus.com and follow us at @DNAnexus.

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SOURCE WuXi PharmaTech

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