Data analysis software business Fios Genomics has entered a partnership with global pharma research group Charles River Laboratories.
The deal means scientists worldwide will benefit from the University of Edinburgh spin-out's work which organises masses of data gathered while developing new treatments, enabling better and faster decision making.
Charles River has also made a strategic investment in Fios, which is intended to accelerate growth and increase headcount from 30 to 50 with the recruitment of bioinformaticians, project managers and support staff.
Charles River is one of the world’s largest contract research organisations and will open up a new client basis for the Scottish bioinformatics firm which already works with 100 customers, mainly in the US and Europe.Fios was formed in 2008 and is based in Edinburgh’s BioQuarter.
Fios chief executive Dr Sarah Lynagh said: “This partnership takes Fios to the next level, opening up opportunities for the business right around the world. It is great news for Fios, for our expert team here in Edinburgh and for our very supportive investors.
“Our approach to bioinformatics at Fios Genomics is to look beyond algorithms and statistics and understand that biological relevance and statistical significance are not necessarily the same thing.
"Bioinformatics is about biology, outcome and pathways, and by partnering with Charles River, we can help more researchers make data-driven decisions about their programmes that are grounded in biological insights.
“We’re in the business of helping patients and clinicians by improving the development of medicines and treatments, supporting the pharma industry to bring to market those that have been proven to work. This deal significantly improves our reach and our ability to do that.”
Birgit Girshick, corporate executive Vice President, Discovery & Safety Assessment, Biologics Testing Solutions and Avian Vaccine Services at Charles River, said: “The explosion in omics data has been a boon for the drug discovery industry, but analysis and interpretation of these datasets are challenging.
"Through our partnership with Fios Genomics, Charles River clients will have greater access to the special combination of skills in bioinformatics, statistics and biology required to obtain meaningful information from their data.”
Fios’s investors include Edinburgh-based business angel investment syndicate, Archangels; Borders-based syndicate, TRICAPITAL; Scottish Investment Bank; and Edinburgh University.
Dr Sarah Hardy, Chief Investment Officer at lead investor, Archangels, said: “This partnership with a world class organisation such as Charles River is clear evidence that Fios has developed an enviable level of expertise and the reputation to provide companies large and small, and research institutions, with valuable insights into big data and make a meaningful contribution towards bringing their medicines to market."
Kerry Sharp, Director, Scottish Investment Bank“This is a massive deal for Fios - one that opens up a world of opportunity for the company while providing Charles River with access to Fios’s unparalleled analytical skills in the field of bioinformatics."
