Company Performance Metrics
Brian Matthews: Chief Financial Officer- Hein van der Steen: Chief Technology Officer
PGI develops DNA sequence-based predictive algorithms, or Genome Apps, to guide livestock breeding and to assess human reproductive health.
The company was created in 1999 based on a unique Mouse Model System to identify genes controlling fertility and reproductive longevity in mammals. Previous R&D showed that genes identified with the Model
could predict productive lifetime (herd life) of Holstein dairy cows with 30% accuracy. The proof-of-concept, achieved with now-outdated genomics technologies, was leveraged by the Company to form a strategic collaboration with a major player in the livestock genomics market. PGI is currently closing financing of $250K from venture capital and $150K from grant sources to refine the analysis of the Model using the latest DNA Sequence technologies and work with the Industry Partner to validate applications of the Fertility Genes for livestock breeding. The business model is based on: 1) licensing out of livestock breeding and animal health applications to the Industry Partner in return for milestones and royalties; and 2) pursue longer-term partnering, financing and R&D for human applications and consumer genomics markets. The PGI Management includes a genomics serial entrepreneur, a leading genetic scientist from the livestock breeding industry and a retired banker from Truro Nova Scotia. Major research partners / collaborators include Genome Quebec / McGill University Innovation Centre (Montreal QC) and Dalhousie University Faculty of Computer Science researcher Dr. Rob Beiko (Halifax Nova Scotia).
