Ochre Bio Achieves Milestone in Liver Research with GSK
OXFORD, England / Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company focused on RNA therapeutics for chronic liver disease, proudly announces the culmination of a significant research partnership with GSK. Through this collaborative effort, the companies have successfully developed two comprehensive functional genomics and single-cell human liver datasets, marking a vital step forward in liver disease research.
Diverse Datasets to Advance Liver Disease Insights
The collaboration has produced two large-scale datasets:
The first is a robust functional genomics dataset derived from primary human hepatocytes. This dataset was made by systematically knocking down all known hepatocyte genes across multiple donors and examining the downstream effects through RNA sequencing. This approach provides rich insights into liver cell biology.
The second dataset consists of single-cell gene expression data collected from perfused human donor livers. This dataset captures the complexity of gene expression in various liver cell types and across different donors, allowing for a nuanced understanding of liver function and disease.
Transitioning to Co-Exclusive License Agreement
Following this successful research phase, the partnership moves into a multi-year co-exclusive license agreement. This agreement empowers both Ochre Bio and GSK to leverage the proprietary human liver data generated through this collaboration. This access aims to expedite the discovery and development of innovative treatments for liver diseases that have long been overlooked.
Integrating Data for Enhanced Disease Understanding
One of the key innovations from Ochre Bio is its proprietary OBELiX software. This tool integrates the newly developed datasets with existing proprietary disease atlases. By combining gene perturbation data with clinical phenotypes, the software creates a robust framework for mapping gene functions against specific disease signatures across multiple pathways and cell types. This approach ultimately enables researchers to draw clearer connections between genetic factors and liver disease.
Supporting AI Models and Therapeutic Targets
The partnership between Ochre Bio and GSK significantly contributes to our understanding of how different liver cell populations impact liver disease progression. This foundational data not only enhances current knowledge but also serves as a crucial resource for training advanced AI models aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Quin Wills, founder and CEO of Ochre Bio emphasizes the importance of large-scale datasets, stating, "To develop therapies that truly improve liver patients' lives, we must create comprehensive human datasets that allow for a deep causal exploration of the complexities of human disease biology. These foundational datasets developed with GSK will enhance our algorithms (AI) to achieve this goal."
Kaivan Khavandi, SVP, Head of Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation at GSK, shares his insights: "Our collaboration with Ochre has produced valuable data supporting a deeper understanding of human biology and disease. This data feeds our AI models and is essential in our endeavors to discover and develop groundbreaking medicines for liver diseases, benefiting patients in need of new treatments."
About Ochre Bio
Ochre Bio stands out as a visionary biotechnology company dedicated to creating innovative RNA medicines for under-treated chronic liver diseases. The company's proprietary discovery platform integrates machine learning techniques with extensive human datasets, combined with in-house RNA chemistry, and rigorous testing using live human donor livers. With headquarters in Oxford, UK, Ochre Bio also maintains research facilities in New York and Taipei.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of Ochre Bio's partnership with GSK?
The primary aim is to create comprehensive datasets that enhance understanding and accelerate the development of treatments for chronic liver diseases.
What types of datasets have been produced in the collaboration?
Two major datasets were developed: a functional genomics dataset from primary human hepatocytes and a single-cell dataset from perfused human donor livers.
How does Ochre Bio's OBELiX software contribute to this research?
OBELiX integrates new datasets with proprietary disease atlases, allowing researchers to map gene functions to specific disease signatures across pathways and cell types.
What insights can the datasets provide regarding liver disease?
They can reveal how various liver cell populations contribute to the progression of liver disease, thus aiding in the identification of therapeutic targets.
Where is Ochre Bio headquartered, and where else are their labs located?
Ochre Bio is headquartered in Oxford, UK, with additional research laboratories in New York and Taipei.