Biogen, Google to begin MS study
Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) and the Google X Life Sciences innovative research unit of Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) have established a collaboration to study the symptoms and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The two are planning a study that will use Google's sensor platforms and bio-analytical tools to monitor patients and look for clues that can predict patient outcomes. The companies did not disclose terms of the collaboration or details of the study.
In a statement, the companies said researchers seeking clues about the differences in how MS affects individual patients have access to only a limited amount of data, often gathered via self-reporting or during office visits. They suggested that tracking tools that monitor patients continuously and provide information about characteristics of patients' immune systems, gait or sleep patterns might lead to insights that improve disease management. ...