Personal Genome Diagnostics And Blueprint Medicines Form Collaboration to Identify Novel Kinase Targets

BALTIMORE, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), today announced that it will use its proprietary methodologies and expertise in genomic analysis of defined cancer subtypes to identify novel kinase targets in collaboration with Blueprint Medicines.  PGDx is an innovator in conducting patient-specific analyses aimed at identifying genomic alterations in tumors, and Blueprint Medicines is an expert in developing highly selective kinase inhibitors for a genetically defined patient population.

"This collaboration brings together two companies that are at the forefront of applying advanced genomics to improve cancer therapy," said Antony Newton, chief commercial officer of PGDx.  "Blueprint is a leader in identifying novel targets and developing highly selective kinase inhibitors for specific genomically-defined patient populations, and PGDx has unique capabilities to identify kinase and other tumor-specific alterations." 

PGDx leverages the deep expertise of its scientific founders, who are internationally recognized leaders in cancer genomics at Johns Hopkins University, and its proprietary technologies to provide advanced genome-mapping services and analyses to oncology researchers, drug developers and clinicians.  The founders of PGDx were the first to analyze the entire set of kinase genes in tumors, the "kinome", and have identified alterations in a variety of protein and lipid kinases, including the discovery of alterations in PIK3CA, one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer.  PGDx has also been a pioneer in enabling scientists and clinicians to comprehensively analyze entire exomes and genomes to identify novel cancer alterations.     

"We are assessing a series of cancer subtypes that have not been examined before and look forward to working with PGDx to identify new and important aberrations," commented Dr. Christoph Lengauer, chief scientific officer of Blueprint Medicines.  "Our goal of identifying key genomic drivers of cancer and leveraging these insights to develop the next generation of highly selective and tailored kinase inhibitors aligns well with PGDx's focus."

Blueprint Medicines is building a pipeline of next-generation kinase inhibitors against specific genetic abnormalities.  Using their significant expertise in cancer genomics and biology, Blueprint has built a proprietary genomics platform to rapidly identify novel targets and potential combination therapies.  Blueprint is able to rapidly execute on newly-identified targets using their broad and exquisitely selective chemical library of novel kinase inhibitor compounds.

As part of the collaboration, PGDx will employ a number of technologies including cancer exome analysis to capture and selectively analyze tumor sequences.  These approaches, when combined with other patented PGDx technologies and computational methods, enable comprehensive analysis and unbiased detection of novel cancer-related mutations.

About Personal Genome Diagnostics

Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) provides advanced genome-mapping services and analyses to oncology researchers, clinicians and patients. The company was founded in 2010 by international leaders in cancer genetics at Johns Hopkins University.  PGDx conducts patient-specific analyses aimed at identifying the unique genomic alterations in tumors and linking them to the underlying biology.  PGDx employs cancer exome analysis, which enables comprehensive and reliable genome-wide identification of cancer-related mutations.  The company's proprietary methods for genome sequencing and analysis are complemented by its deep expertise in cancer genomics.  PGDx's CLIA-certified facility provides personalized cancer genome analyses to patients and their physicians.  For more information, visit www.personalgenome.com.

About Blueprint Medicines

Blueprint Medicines is a patient-driven company building a pipeline of exquisitely selective and tailored next-generation kinase drugs against genetic abnormalities.  Using the molecular blueprint of genetically-defined patient populations and a proprietary genomics platform, Blueprint is rapidly identifying novel targets and combinations.  Blueprint deploys a chemical library of novel compounds that covers a majority of the human kinome, as highly selective starting points for drug development programs as well as tool compounds.  Blueprint Medicines was founded by a proven team, including the developers of Gleevec^®, and is backed by leading venture firms, Third Rock Ventures and Fidelity Biosciences.  For more information, please visit the company's website at www.blueprintmedicines.com.

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.