G3 Partners with Illumina on Cardiovascular Genomics

Richmond based Global Genomics Group (G3) and Illumina, Inc. have entered into a partnership to investigate novel biomarkers and biological pathways involved in the development and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in a first of its kind clinical study being conducted together with G3’s strategic partner Health Diagnostic Laboratory.  Under the terms of the agreement, Illumina will conduct whole genome sequencing (WGS) in the GLOBAL (Genetic LOci and the Burden of Atherosclerotic Lesions) clinical study. GLOBAL is the largest pan-omic study combining genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, lipoprotein proteomics and glycomics with coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography, an advanced imaging technology for phenotyping that allows the precise classification of disease in patients.

"The development and progression of conditions such as cardiovascular disease involves poorly understood complex biological processes that require comprehensive investigative approaches to identify new disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets," said Szilard Voros, M.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of G3. "This is the first study of its kind, analyzing trillions of data points from 7,000 patients, designed to investigate the biological basis behind the complex processes responsible for atherosclerosis. We are applying the most advanced coronary CT angiography techniques to precisely phenotype atherosclerotic disease, while conducting a complete pan-omic analysis in every patient. WGS is a centerpiece of this landmark study, and this collaboration with Illumina and its most advanced next-generation sequencing technology is essential to the success of the program. To date we have collected more than 2,200 samples, and we anticipate completing enrollment by summer of 2014."

Matt Posard, senior vice president and general manager of Illumina's Translational and Consumer Genomics business, added, "Consistent with Illumina's strategy of partnering with clinical thought leaders, we are excited to expand our footprint in cardiovascular genomics with G3. The GLOBAL study will be one of the largest patient studies involving genomic sequencing and will be the largest pan-omic WGS study Illumina has participated in to date. The sequencing data will be a critical component in deciphering the complexities of the development and diagnosis of atherosclerosis."

The ongoing GLOBAL study is an international, prospective, multi-center study recruiting up to 7,000 patients to characterize novel disease networks and biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). The study is being funded by G3 and conducted together with strategic partner Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Eligible patients undergo coronary CT angiography providing an accurate and detailed examination of the disease and disease status. This precision phenotyping is combined with a pan-omic analysis, and the data is then analyzed utilizing specifically developed systems biology-based bioinformatics technology for identification of diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.

"The GLOBAL study will involve the collection of 22 trillion data points used to decode the complex biology underlying atherosclerotic disease," said Tonya Mallory, chief executive officer, president and co-founder of Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a strategic partner of G3. "The study will represent validation of this technology and opens the door to similar analyses of other diseases, such as oncologic, neurodegenerative and psychiatric, with the goal of identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these serious and debilitating diseases."