Therapy Areas: Cardiovascular
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Qatar Genome Program Partner to Advance Precision Medicine
24 May 2022 - - US-based laboratory instrument maker Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) and Qatar Genome Program, a member of Qatari state-led non-profit organization the Qatar Foundation, have partnered with the goal of accelerating genomic research and clinical applications of predictive genomics in Qatar as a step toward expanding the benefits of precision medicine across Arab populations globally, the principals said.

Under the agreement, Thermo Fisher and Qatar Genome Program will develop an Axiom custom genotyping array for pan-Arab populations using whole genome sequencing data from 19 Arab countries.

The array, with about 800,000 variants, aims to help drive scientific research and insights into conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, autism, inherited genetic disorders and cancer.

Once available through Thermo Fisher's global commercial channels in late 2022, the array is intended to provide a cost-effective alternative to whole genome sequencing for Arab populations, enabling increased diversity in large genome-wide studies.

Thermo Fisher began working with Qatar Genome Program in 2018 to establish the first microarray designed specifically for the Qatari population.

The Q-Chip detects genetic alterations that increase individuals' risk of both prevalent and rare diseases.

As part of the new agreement, the organizations will continue to refine algorithms and define clinically actionable content to assess polygenic risk scores, a measure of disease risk, and clinically relevant variants, including those related to pharmacogenomics.

Thermo Fisher provides a range of predictive genomics solutions used globally to assess gene-related disease risk and drug response. For more information, visit thermofisher.com/predictive-genomics.

The Qatar Genome Program is a population-based project aimed at positioning Qatar among the pioneering countries in the implementation of precision medicine.

Whole genome sequencing and other omics data is being combined with phenotypic data within the Qatar Biobank, providing a resource for breakthrough research discoveries and to help policy makers set future healthcare priorities for Qatar.

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy.

QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education.
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