Cytox Ltd, an innovative developer of assays for risk assessment and prediction of dementia, and Affymetrix, a leading provider of translational research and diagnostic solutions, announced a strategic partnership to develop and commercialise a blood-based genetic assay for research in diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Dr. Richard Pither, chief executive officer of Cytox commented “Our early research studies developed with our partners at University College London and University of Birmingham suggest that by using a customised genetic variation (SNP) panel, it may be possible to better assess the risk of an individual developing AD or MCI. The Axiom genotyping platform from Affymetrix, a highly robust, cost-effective, and fast turn-around time genotyping platform, is ideally suited for use in a blood-based test for researchers interested in AD and MCI risk stratification and longer term diagnostic and prognostic use.”

“Affymetrix is a leading supplier of translational research and diagnostic solutions partnering worldwide with customers in pharma, diagnostic and biotech companies. Cytox will provide new genetic content using our comprehensive AD and dementia expertise which, when combined with Affymetrix’s technology, know-how and marketing support makes an ideal partnership.”

“Our Axiom genotyping platform has already proved very successful in pharma R&D,” added Michael Nemzek, vice president of strategic marketing, genotyping, at Affymetrix. “The partnership with Cytox will allow us to extend our offering into the important AD and dementia research market with a significant new application.”