AGT Biosciences opens up in Texas

Victorian company AGT Biosciences (formerly Autogen) has opened its AGT Biosciences Center for Human Statistical Genomics at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, Texas.

Heading up the Center is Dr John Blangero, senior scientist at SFBR and chief scientific officer of human genomics at AGT. The facility will provide AGT with the supercomputing capabilities to accelerate the discovery of genes via a 1400 CPU parallel Linux cluster supercomputer, the largest dedicated to statistical analyses of genetic data in the world.

"The unparalleled computing capabilities of our new centre combined with our international DNA collection and eXpress technology platform give AGT a robust and powerful gene discovery and validation engine. These genes will form the basis of next generation therapeutic treatments for obesity, diabetes and depression," said AGT CEO Prof Greg Collier.

He noted that the partnership with SFBR would allow AGT to maintain its strong competitive position in genomics research.

On hand for the opening was Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, in the US to attend next week's BIO2003 conference in Washington DC.

"The opening of the AGT Biosciences Centre for Human Statistical Genomics in Texas highlights the growth and maturity of the Victorian biotech industry," Bracks said.

"We have always known that Victorian science and research is world-class, and now we are seeing companies such as AGT Biosciences becoming a major presence internationally."