Yesterday (Thursday), deCODE genetics, Inc. (DCGN) announced that the company signed an agreement with Celera Corp. (CRA). Pursuant to the agreement, deCODE granted Celera non-exclusive worldwide licenses to deCODE's genetic markers for increased risk of major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) and type II diabetes. These markers can be incorporated into laboratory tests for assessing and managing individual risk of these diseases.The deCODE markers include single letter variations in the human genome (SNPs) on chromosome 9p21 linked to increased risk of heart attack and aortic aneurysm, SNPs on chromosome 4q25 conferring risk of AF and stroke, and SNPs in the TCF7L2 gene linked to increased risk of type II diabetes. Studies by deCODE and independent academic groups have demonstrated the utility of testing for these markers to better understand individual risk and to inform more effective and personalized prevention ...

RXi Pharmaceuticals (RXII) is a biopharmaceutical company working towards the development and commercialization of proprietary therapies based upon RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is considered to be a significant advancement in the field. In 2002, the journal Science selected RNAi as the “Breakthrough of the Year”. The discovery team, which included Dr. Craig Mello, one of the founders of RXi, was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

It is believed that RNAi, which is a naturally occurring mechanism for the regulation of gene expression, can be used to selectively inhibit the activity of any human gene. RXi hopes to harness the ability to inhibit or “turn off” targeted genes that lead to the development of specific diseases. Founded by leading researchers in the RNAi field, the company hopes to identify leading compounds and move towards pre-clinical and clinical development programs in neurology, metabolic disease, oncology, and a number of other

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