deCODE genetics and IBM have announced a strategic alliance to deliver a set of integrated applications, technologies and services for analysing, managing and storing genetic, genealogical and clinical data.

Under the three-year agreement, deCODE genetics and IBM will jointly market and sell deCODE's Clinical Genome Miner (CGM) Discovery" system running on IBM hardware and software.  The deCODE and IBM solution will be available globally to pharmaceutical biotechnology firms, government-sponsored research organizations, research hospitals and medical care facilities beginning midyear.

The CGM Discovery - system is a proven, statistically-based application for isolating and analyzing genes and gene variations associated with particular diseases.  It is the same application that deCODE has used in its population genetics research in Iceland to isolate key genes and drug targets in nine common diseases.

Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE is using its unique population resources to identify the genetic causes of more than 50 common diseases. deCODE is applying its discoveries to develop new drugs and DNA-based diagnostics that target the underlying biology of disease, not just the signs and symptoms.  deCODE Genetics employees are around 500.

More information at: www.decode.com