DNAnexus, Inc., the global leader in genome informatics and data management, announced that its secure cloud-based platform has been selected as a partner for AstraZeneca’s Centre for Genomics Research (CGR), which will analyse over two million genomes in the next 10 years to inform drug discovery and development. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

The AstraZeneca Centre for Genomics Research is building a bespoke database of genomic sequences from samples donated by patients in its global clinical trials over the past 15 years and over the next 10 years, integrated with associated clinical and drug response data.

“Investing in genomics is critical to our continued innovation here at AstraZeneca,” said Ruth March, Vice President Personalised Healthcare and Biomarkers. “The DNAnexus Platform offers a secure, scalable solution that both serves our needs in this pivotal area today and allows us to continue progressing towards our ambitious goal of analysing two million genomes to help us better understand the underlying causes of disease. We look forward to working with DNAnexus to advance the future of personalised healthcare and develop the most innovative and impactful treatments for patients.”

“The Centre for Genomics Research has established an unprecedented goal of sequencing two million genomes over the course of 10 years, and DNAnexus is pleased to support this important initiative,” said Richard Daly, chief executive officer of DNAnexus. “AstraZeneca is making significant strides towards changing the future of research and development across multiple disease areas, and we are excited to work with our partner to help build their drug discovery and development solution.”