Germany-based researcher Blackfield is collaborating with AstraZeneca. Blackfield will apply its genomics technologies and computational biology capabilities to validate preclinical models to support one of AZ’s oncology drug development programs.

The collaboration marks Blackfield’s fourth partnership with a pharmaceutical company within one year of starting up. Blackfield has entered service agreements with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merck and Boehringer Ingelheim.

 “We are pleased to help AstraZeneca make more informed decisions in the clinical stage of its compound development,” said professor Roman Thomas, Blackfield’s scientific director. “By applying our background in genomics, cancer medicine and computational biology, Blackfield mines genomic information to support our clients in developing targeted cancer therapies.”