UK analytics group Genomics plc has signed a three-year deal with Vertex centred on improving the discovery of targets for precision medicine, and has also raised £25 million to further expand its business. The company has developed a unique analytical platform to help make sense of complex genomic sequence data, which combines proprietary algorithms and software with its expertise in data mining, in order to uncover the relationships between genetic variation and human disease.

The three-year collaboration with Vertex, which is extendable to five years, will use human genetics and machine learning to propel the discovery of targets for precision medicines and further understanding of the clinical impact of human genetic variation and patient stratification in diseases with significant unmet need.

“Human biology and genetics are a foundation of drug discovery at Vertex and the team at Genomics brings together a unique combination of sophisticated data science and human genetics,” said Dr David Altshuler, executive vice president of Global Research, and chief scientific officer at Vertex. “This partnership will pioneer new uses of genomic tools and technologies to advance Vertex’s ongoing work and investment at our Oxford Research Site and globally to bring new medicines to the patients that need them.”

In addition to funding the resources committed by Genomics to the collaboration, Vertex will make milestone and royalty payments to the company for novel targets resulting from the deal that are then taken through clinical development.

Vertex has also made a £10.5 million equity investment in Genomics as part of its £25 million Series B funding round.