US-based Emmes, a full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation, has announced a partnership with Indian firm MedGenome aimed at accelerating breakthrough treatments, powered by human genomics, for rare disease patients.

"This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the leading genetic testing laboratory in India and South Asia to use our collective expertise to help bring faster and more innovative treatments to patients around the world who are suffering from rare diseases and desperately awaiting new therapies," said Emmes Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christine Dingivan.

Earlier this month, Emmes launched a new rare disease center, blending its expertise in biostatistics, data management and clinical research with Orphan Reach's rare disease patient and clinical trial experience.  Emmes acquired the UK-based Orphan Reach in May.

Some of the initial rare diseases that the Emmes/MedGenome partnership will address include hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and muscular atrophies, and retinitis pigmentosa.

MedGenome Services CEO Dr Vedam Ramprasad, said, "Few people realize that India and South Asia have the world's largest population of people affected by rare and inherited disease. Rare disease clinical trials face substantial recruitment and regulatory challenges globally. Our rare disease alliance with Emmes is positioned to directly mitigate these challenges and is a natural extension of MedGenome's substantial investment to support rare disease patients and clinicians in South Asia."