Horizon Discovery

Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon"),[2] is a gene editing company that designs and engineers genetically modified cells and then applies them in research and clinical applications that advance human health.

Horizon Discovery Group plc
TypePublic limited company
IndustryBiotechnology
Founded2005 (2005)
FounderProf. Alberto Bardelli, Dr. Chris Torrance
Headquarters
Cambridge
,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
4
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Terry Pizzie (CEO), Ian Gilham (Chairman of Board of Directors, 2014)[1]
Products
Services
Number of employees
400
WebsiteHorizon Discovery

Horizon builds human disease models and reagents derived from genetically-engineered cells that its customers use, or that are deployed on their behalf to: gain knowledge of the genetic drivers of disease; develop novel drugs or cell therapies targeted at these genetic drivers; and develop companion diagnostics that predict patient response in the clinic.

Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market under the ticker “HZD”.

Horizon signed agreements in December 2019 and January 2020 with Mammoth Biosciences to combine Mammoth's intellectual property in CRISPR with Horizon's expertise in Chinese hamster ovary cells.[3]

Perkin-Elmer acquired Horizon Discovery for $383 million (£296 million) in November 2020.[4]

Gene Editing

Gene editing is the process by which specific changes are made to the sequence of a gene within the context of a host cell. By editing the code of a patient-derived cell to introduce or repair a genetic change believed to drive disease, a patient’s disease can be reproduced in a laboratory setting, letting researchers ask important biological questions of potential drugs or cell therapies earlier in the drug discovery process.

Through its gene editing platform, Horizon is able to alter genes in virtually any human or mammalian cell line. Based on this, Horizon now offers over 23,000 cell line pairs that accurately model the mutations found in genetically based diseases.

These ‘patients-in-a-test-tube’ are being used directly by customers, or by Horizon on their behalf, to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently available and future drug treatments.

Once built, engineered cells can also act as product manufacturing engines, yielding related cell and reagent products that can be used by customers as research tools or molecular diagnostic reference standards or as a means to generate advanced in vivo models.

Businesses

Horizon operates through three business units; Products, Services and Research Biotech.

References
  1. Horizon Discovery Board of Directors Retrieved on May 9, 2018
  2. "Horizon Discovery Group plc".
  3. "Horizon Discovery, Mammoth Biosciences Sign Second CRISPR Tools Development Agreement". Genomeweb. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201101005046/en/PerkinElmer-to-Acquire-Cell-Engineering-Company-Horizon-Discovery-for-383-Million-£296-Million. Retrieved 7/7/21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
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