Axio Research announces launch of Statistical Genetics and Genomics services

Axio Research announced today the launch of Statistical Genetics and Genomics services in response to the biopharmaceutical industry's need for advanced statistical support in the analysis and interpretation of complex genomic data for drug discovery and development, drug repositioning, and companion diagnostics development.

"Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have a great need for advanced statistical analysis capabilities to address the challenge of interpreting the complex data sets being generated by genomic assays—specifically those in next-generation sequencing," said Lee Hooks, Chief Executive Officer of Axio. "With the launch of this new services division, Axio now offers state-of-the-art statistical genetics and statistical genomics capabilities and methodologies to researchers seeking to uncover specific genetic components of complex human disorders and quantitative traits, as well as to advance new and enhanced drugs and diagnostics."

The new interdisciplinary Statistical Genetics and Genomics division combines Axio's deep expertise in biostatistics, bioinformatics, and clinical understanding with additional new capabilities in statistical genetics and will be led by David Henderson, Ph.D., who has joined the company as Director of Statistical Genetics. Dr. Henderson and his team of PhD/MS staff will apply leading-edge statistical and computational methods focused on:

• Analysis of large-scale data sets from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well as methylation, gene expression, genotyping, copy-number variation (CNV), and next-generation sequencing experiments
• Assisting clients in experimental design
• Developing tools for analysis and for graphical display of analysis results

"As next-generation sequencing and other technologies generate evermore complex genetic and genomic data sets, statistical methods must continue to evolve and emerge for studying the genetic components of clinical traits," said Dr. Henderson. "I'm excited to join Axio in providing this premium resource at the leading edge of statistical genetics to investigators seeking to identify genes and genetic variations underlying diseases. In particular, I expect the application of Axio's deep clinical experience to these challenges will provide substantial benefit to our clients and prove to be a significant differentiator of our services."

In the newly created position of Director of Statistical Genetics, Dr. Henderson brings to Axio more than 20 years of experience in genetics, genomics, statistics, and statistical computing. Prior to joining Axio, he provided business consulting services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of results from genomic and genetic data at LabCorp Clinical Trials, Covance, Sage Bionetworks, and Rosetta Inpharmatics. Dr. Henderson holds a B.Sc. in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, an M.Sc. in Molecular Genetics from South Dakota State University, and a Ph.D. in Statistical Genetics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.