 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Genetics |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Reykjavík, Iceland |
Key people | Kári Stefánsson, CEO |
| Revenue | USD 106.5 Million (2020) |
Number of employees | 201-500 |
| Parent | Amgen (2012 - present) |
| Website | www.decode.com |
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (July 2024) |
deCODE genetics (Icelandic: Íslensk erfðagreining) is a biopharmaceutical company based in Reykjavík, Iceland. The company was founded in 1996 by Kári Stefánsson[1] with the aim of using population genetics studies to identify variations in the human genome associated with common diseases, and to apply these discoveries "to develop novel methods to identify, treat and prevent diseases."[2]
As of 2019, more than two-thirds of the adult population of Iceland was participating in the company's research efforts,[3] and this "population approach" serves as a model for large-scale precision medicine and national genome projects around the world.[4] deCODE is probably best known for its discoveries in human genetics, published in major scientific journals and widely reported in the international media. But it has also made pioneering contributions to the realization of precision medicine more broadly, through public engagement in large-scale scientific research; the development of DNA-based disease risk testing for individuals and across health systems; and new models of private sector participation and partnership in basic science and public health.[5]
Since 2012, it has been an independent subsidiary of Amgen and its capabilities and discoveries have been used directly in the discovery and development of novel drugs. This example has helped to spur investment in genomics and precision therapeutics by other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.[6]
- ^ Announcement of deCODE launching operations, and an interview with Stefánsson on the company's goals, in the country's principal newspaper Morgunblaðið, 31 May 1996. Co-founders were pediatrician Kristleifur Kristjánsson, who worked at the company for twenty years, and psychiatrist and poet Ernir Kristján Snorrason.
- ^ Good early summary of approach and mission is in the company's first press release, announcing the isolation of a disease gene, 25 August 1997
- ^ Anna Azvolinsky, "Master Decoder: A Profile of Kári Stefánsson," The Scientist, 1 March 2019
- ^ Daly, Mark J. "2017 William Allan Award Introduction: Kári Stefansson," American Journal of Human Genetics, vol. 102, number 3 (2018) doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.01.010
- ^ deCODE's principal publications and its news releases since its founding are available on its website.
- ^ Major investments in population genomics by pharmaceutical companies since 2012 include those by Regeneron, AstraZeneca, AbbVie Archived 1 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Glaxo, and others.