The landmark mapping of the human genetic code has set off a race to decipher the role of individual genes in disease and to use that information to design new drugs. In Rockville, scientists at Aptus Genomics Inc. are combining expertise in biology, laboratory automation and information technology to build a system to accelerate this process. Just as Henry Ford created the first assembly line to build automobiles, Aptus scientists are designing a system to analyze genes and discover new drugs on an industrial scale.
Speed is of the essence.
With the release of the human genome sequence, the companies that can do this quickly will be able to build a substantial intellectual-property portfolio. The Rockville start-up, founded less than a year ago, is finding enthusiastic investors and expanding quickly. The company plans to use the money to expand its research and development staff and pay for its new facility, Chance said. Over the next few months, it hopes to hire six more researchers. He said the company plans to expand its payroll to 30 employees by year's end and 50 by the end of 2002.