Alpha Genesis wins $1m contract to support progressive brain disorder research

26-Jul-2018 - Last updated on 26-Jul-2018 at 15:44 GMT

(Image: Getty/Antonio_CSI)

The multi-year project with an unnamed pharmaceutical company will use the macaque monkey as a developmental model for progressive brain disorders and is valued at more than $1m.

The Beaufort County, SC firm secured the contract after an open competition with other contractors that extended throughout the second quarter of 2018.

“The contract is funded for a full three-years and utilizes the macaque monkey as a developmental model for progressive brain disorders, including common forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, which currently directly impact millions of American families,” Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told us.

Westergaard said the macaque monkey is an “ideal model” for improving the understanding of how progressive brain disorders develop, “as well as to make significant advances in their treatment and prevention.”

“Our work will complement work currently done by the network of National Primate Centers, and other scientific research organizations throughout the world,” he added.

While unnamed due to non-disclosure commitments, a “household name” pharmaceutical company granted the award, according to the company.

Alpha Genesis recently also recently announced that it has taken on additional European business commitments. As part of this, the company is investing more than $2m in its operations across the Atlantic.

Westergaard told us he expects demand for research services to increase by an average of 20-25% per year over the next decade.