Genome Therapeutics Corporation

Genome Therapeutics Corp. was one of the earliest biotech companies. It was founded in 1961 by Dr.Orrie M. Friedman under the name Collaborative Research Inc.[1] Under the leadership of Helen Donis-Keller and using internal funds, the company produced one of the first linkage maps of the whole human genome in the mid 1980s.[2][3]

The name was later changed its name to Genome Therapeutics and, in 1994, produced the first commercial genome sequence,[2] that of Helicobacter pylori, the pathogen responsible for peptic ulcers. The rights to the genome were sold to Astra AB of Sweden for $22 million and a similar deal struck with Schering-Plough.[2] In addition to infectious agents, it also worked on heritable diseases including asthma [4]

In 2004 Genome Therapeutics changed its name to Oscient Pharmaceuticals[5] and its sequencing division joined with Agencourt Bioscience. The latter spun out Agencourt Personal Genomics which was acquired by ABI for $120 million in 2007.[6]

References
  1. "Dr. Orrie M. Friedman, 94, biotech pioneer". Boston Globe. July 1, 2009.
  2. "Capitalizing on the genome". 13. May 1996: 1. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Cook-Deegan, Robert (1996). The Gene Wars: Science, Politics and the Human Genome.
  4. "Waltham firm lands $67m deal Genome Therapeutics expands asthma venture". HighBeam Research. December 24, 1996. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  5. "Genome Therapeutics Changes Name to Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation to Reflect Focus on Drug Development and Commercialization". April 13, 2004.
  6. "For ABI, Developing Agencourt's Sequencing Technology Is a High Priority". GenomeWed Daily News.
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