Biotique Systems Inc. of Reno, which makes software to integrate, analyze and share data, completed a key data integration project for Monsanto.
"The BLIS (Biotique Local Integration System)-based software will provide Monsanto with a new bioinformatics infrastructure," says Stephen Sanders, chairman and chief executive officer.
But landing such a big fish won't result in a spate of new hires for the company, which employs about a dozen in addition to independent contractors.
"It solidifies our activity in large agriculture science," says Sanders. "It's a growth area. We are in dialog with a number of other large agricultural companies."
As companies seek better information on plant genomes, he adds, scientists seek to compare genome studies. For instance, scientists on several continents have sequenced the rice plant.
While corporations keep the BLIS software on their networks to protect proprietary research, studies conducted at universities are in the public realm. And Biotique's software eases comparison of that collected data.
Biotiuque clients include Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Affymetrix. "Monsanto, an ag industry leader, provides us with credibility to approach companies in Europe," says Sanders. "It's opened up potential for more than just pharma and biotech companies."
Biotique Systems relocated to Reno from Emeryville, Calif., in 2005.
