Monetizing pharmacogenomics

Variagenics Inc. and clinical research organization Quintiles Transnational Corp. are testing the clinical trial waters for their acceptance of pharmacogenomics as a new research tool, offering analysis of the influence of genetic variation on a compound's performance in clinical development.

For Variagenics, the deal provides an opportunity to monetize its technology immediately rather than pin its expectations on the design and development of drugs based on pharmacogenomic principles...