Russian-Indian partnership to focus on diagnostics of hereditary diseases

The ReadSense genome center based in Troitsk just outside Moscow and India’s Strand Life Sciences, a global leader in bioinformatics for personalized medicine, are pooling efforts in the development of tests for hereditary disease diagnostics,  reported Rusnano, Russia’s largest nanotech company. 

According to an MoU signed recently by the parties, Strand and ReadSense will be jointly developing tests based on the NGS sequencing method to diagnose genetic pathologies, such as hereditary forms of epilepsy and primary immunodeficiency. 

In addition, Strand appears to be ready to transfer its genome data analysis technology, and share with the Russian partner its unique experience in the development of diagnostics business in the U.S. and India. 

As part of their joint effort, ReadSense will focus on doing DNA analysis of patients’ blood samples, using Strand’s solutions to interpret results. Areas to target in this activity include neurology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology. 

“Genome methods have been so limited in Russian medical practice so far because the approach hardly fits in with domestic clinical realities, and the medical community balks at it. Our genome center is trying to build collaboration with medical institutions based on what those really need, which guarantees demand for our solutions,” said Vladislav Mileiko, the CEO of ReadSense. 

The partnership’s near-term plans reportedly include Russian commercialization of diagnostics tests for the most widespread groups of hereditary pathologies, such as neurological disorders, immunodeficiencies, etc.

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