Oxford Nanopore Technologies in bid to develop software to help medics diagnose genetic disorders in children
Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the life sciences group, is reportedly teaming up with US-based company Fabric Genomics to develop software, which could characterise diseases in babies and children with genetic disorders in hospital intensive care units.
The solution could analyse and report on genomic data and the aim, according to the companies, is to provide insights to medics to help them diagnose rare genetic disorders in children, reported the website MedicalDeviceNetwork.
The technology will initially focus on the highest complexity testing on children in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but the companies said they expected to launch additional solutions for late-onset genetic conditions, including cancer and heart disease, it reported.
The idea is that the process will connect UK-based Oxford Nanopore’s EPI2ME sequencing technology with Fabric Genomics AI-driven whole genome sequence solution, it added.
It's been a busy year for Oxford Nanopore. In October, the company revealed a strengthened relationship with French diagnostics giant bioMérieux SA as the latter invested £70 million, via a share subscription, into the Oxford-based company.
The investment followed on from the partnership announced in April this year and will develop products in Oxford Nanopore's portfolio to serve in vitro diagnostics (IVD) markets alongside bioMérieux's commitment to advancing public health around the world.
Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for real-time, scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. It works by monitoring changes to an electrical current as nucleic acids are passed through a protein nanopore.
As part of the bioMérieux deal, the two companies will establish an IVD advisory board to advance nanopore technology into routine clinical use.
In a separate statement, also in October, Oxford Nanopore announced a multi-year joint development collaboration with non-profit group Mayo Clinic to develop new clinical tests for diseases and improve patient care.
In addition, Oxford Nanopore's technology was showcased by tech titan and iPhone maker Apple at the latter's global product launch on October 30 this year.
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