Horizon Discovery Group plc (Horizon), a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics and the development of personalized medicines, has announced its Horizon CombinatoRx division has been contracted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC) to perform in vitro cell line screening of certain OPDC development candidate. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Horizon CombinatoRx will be paid $835,000 for work to be substantially completed during 2014.
 
Horizon Discovery completed the acquisition of the CombinatoRx service business and assets from Zalicus Inc. in June 2014. Horizon CombinatoRx provides its partners access to the unique cHTS platform and Chalice analytics software, which enable the screening and analysis of thousands of complementary drug combinations. Combined with Horizon’s Genesis (rAAV, CRISPR and ZFN) gene editing platform and X-man isogenic cell line technology, the company offers services including novel phenotypic cell-based screens with compound siRNA, shRNA and sgRNA (for Crispr based screening) libraries.
 
Dr Darrin M Disley, CEO of Horizon Discovery Group plc, commented: “The contract with OPDC represents the continued commercial traction of the CombinatoRx business following the acquisition which was in line with the strategy outlined at the time of Horizon’s IPO. We are delighted that OPDC has chosen to work with us on these screening projects.”
 
Edwin Rock,  senior director, Global Clinical Development, OPDC, said: “As combination therapies emerge as the standard of care in a range of indications, it is important that we identify effective multi-target mechanisms. Using the Horizon CombinatoRx platform to explore our clinical stage programs in the context of combinations may provide us with information to guide development.”
 
In addition, Horizon provides Genassist Crispr and rAAV gene editing tools, custom cell line generation services for research and bioproduction applications, quantitative molecular reference standards, contract research and custom screening services, custom shRNA development services and off-the-shelf validated shRNA (through Horizon’s partner Sirion), and haploid cell lines (through Horizon’s partner Haplogen).  These latter partnerships provide Horizon with almost 11,000 further products for our customers.