Majid Belouchi

Genizon Biosciences Inc. discovers genes and biomarkers in common diseases using genome wide association studies (GWAS), leveraging its proven and proprietary technology platform and access to patients from the Quebec Founder Population. Genizon has one of the largest GWAS programs worldwide, addressing many common diseases and traits. Several of these have been successfully completed, generating comprehensive maps of interacting genes, biomarkers and biological disease pathways (known as GeneMaps), providing strong validation of the power of the Company's discovery platform. Genizon has out-licensed some of the therapeutic and diagnostic rights to GeneMaps for Crohn's disease (to Genentech) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, endometriosis and Alzheimer's disease (disease-state diagnostic rights to Pfizer). GeneMaps have also been generated from GWAS in schizophrenia, psoriasis and longevity. GWAS are in progress for rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and coronary heart disease and its precursors, obesity, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension (collectively metabolic syndrome). Genizon's technology platform and discoveries can complement current R&D programs by using human genetics to significantly enhance research and by adding value at multiple stages of the drug development process. Genizon is continually developing and enhancing its gene and biomarker discovery platform. For example, the company is assessing the role of copy number variations (CNVs) in diseases- applying new methods to ongoing large-scale GWAS in rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic syndrome, and retrospectively to previous studies. Genizon also leverages its platform and expertise by offering high throughput, high quality SNP genotyping, statistical genetics, gene expression and pharmacogenomics services to academic institutions, research organizations and the biopharmaceutical industry.