IBM and Affymetrix partner on genomic research and clinical patient data

IBM Corp. and Affymetrix Inc. have agreed to collaborate on the creation of what they describe as "open standards technologies," including the Affymetrix GeneChip technology and IBM professional services in regulatory compliance, business integration and systems integration.

The initiative is designed to help medical centers, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions use advanced technologies to integrate genomic research data with patient clinical data. The ultimate goals are to reduce healthcare costs, improve patient care and provide more targeted treatment solutions.

The companies are partnered with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida. The center will design clinical trials, taking into account genetic research findings, to tailor treatment options for the facility's patients.

The IBM-Affymetrix alliance will enable genetic data - such as how genes are expressed in a disease state - to be cross-referenced with patient data, including medical histories and lab results.

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