Top officials from TGen and a Mexican genomics institute formalized a partnership yesterday in Mexico City to conduct joint research on diseases with major regional significance. The signing ceremony, marking TGen's first international collaboration, was attended by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Mexico's Secretary of Health, Dr. Julio Frenk.

TGen, the Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute, and INMEGEN, the Consortium for the Institute of Genomic Medicine, conceived the partnership in April. They will collaborate on diseases with a disproportionate impact on Hispanics, including cancer and diabetes. The first project will focus on gastric cancer, which has a high incidence rate in Mexico and the Hispanic population in the U.S.

"The research that TGen and INMEGEN will conduct could improve the lives of millions of people in the United States, Mexico and the rest of the world," said Napolitano, who was in Mexico to meet with President Vincente Fox. "This innovative project is an exciting process to witness."

The deal marks TGen's fourth major collaboration in its first 14 months of operation. Jeffrey Trent, TGen president and scientific director, said he hopes for more cross-border partnerships. "The promise is tremendous," Trent said. "It will further the research of both organizations, but more importantly the outcomes will hopefully improve public health for both the U.S. and Mexico, especially for those underserved populations."

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For more information:

TGen news release, 8/26/2003 

"Arizonan, Mexican institutes OK pact," East Valley Tribune, 8/27/03 

"TGen, Mexican group unite," Arizona Republic, 8/27/03

"TGen announces Mexican collaboration," Business Journal, 8/27/03