HP and Partners HealthCare today announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement in which HP will provide solutions, services and research collaboration to support Partners' efforts to accelerate clinical genomics and advance the concept of "individualized medicine."

The sophisticated combination of clinical research, genetic and genomic data, and information technologies -- together known as physiological genomics -- is expected to revolutionize medical treatment and lead to personalized, or individualized, medicine.

HP will facilitate Partners' efforts to develop a genetic computing platform supporting research and clinical activities at the Harvard Medical School - Partners HealthCare Center for Genetics and Genomics (HPCGG).

"We believe HP's strength in information technology and Partners' expertise in healthcare can help realize our shared vision of accelerating individualized medicine," said Dick Lampman, senior vice president of research and director, HP Labs. "HP is also excited about working with Partners to develop new wireless, mobile technologies for use in clinics and medical research."

HP was selected to support the physiological genomics initiative by delivering the following solutions and services: high-end technical computing servers, industry-standard HP ProLiant servers, HP StorageWorks systems, HP Openview IT service management software, and consulting and support services from HP Services. HP Labs will lead the research collaboration.

"To turn the vision of individualized medicine to reality requires the convergence of IT, research and healthcare," said John Glaser, chief information officer, Partners HealthCare. "HPCGG is in a unique position to combine the use of technology and research to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare to benefit patients."

"The development of physiological genomics will lead to a better understanding of health and disease, helping us find the right therapeutic targets and determining which drugs are most appropriate for individual patients. HP's involvement is an important step toward that goal," said Raju Kucherlapati, scientific director, HPCGG.

HPCGG provides Harvard Medical School and Partners with state-of-the-art facilities, technology, training, tools and resources required to promote genetics and genomics in research and clinical medicine.

With the foundation of HP's solution and services for Partners' genetic computing platform, the HPCGG can strive to achieve its mission to:

-- Build an infrastructure of core facilities and services to integrate and leverage HPCGG assets in providing and supporting genetic and genomic activities;

-- Establish an academic unit for intellectual collaboration and activity;

-- Support the Laboratory for Molecular Medicine to deliver molecular diagnostics testing and genetic counseling services; and

-- Expand the medical genetics program to deliver clinical services, research and education programs for patients and clinicians and faculty.

HP and HPCGG will leverage existing and new alliances, partners and suppliers to contribute to the mission of the HPCGG. By creating a network of complementary industrial partners with core technologies in pharmaceuticals, imaging, medical devices and biotechnology, HPCGG will have additional resources and expertise to further its mission.