Garvan teams with Benitec in diabetes genetics project

Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research is collaborating with gene silencing specialist Benitec to probe the role of specific genes in type 2 diabetes.

The two organisations have announced a joint project that will deploy Benitec's RNA interference gene silencing technology to determine the function of particular genes and map their role in glucose metabolism and insulin action.

Impaired insulin action is one of the major problems associated with type 2 Diabetes, a disease currently affecting 150 million people worldwide.

The project could provide new gene and gene product targets for the development of drugs against type 2 Diabetes.

Under the agreement, Benitec will provide custom-designed gene constructs that will target and silence suspected diabetes genes identified by Garvan Institute researchers.

Benitec will enjoy first options on negotiating commercial rights to any new IP arising from the project.

For Brisbane-based Benitec, the affiliation with the Garvan institute gives a tick mark to its technology that can only help the young listed company which is still moving through the minefields of new funding rounds and patent applications.