AMGEN, HYSEQ IN DRUG DEAL ALFIMEPRASE DESIGNED TO TREAT LEG BLOOD CLOTS.Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Staff Writer THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. - Biotech bi·o·tech n. Informal Biotechnology. biotech Noun short for biotechnology Noun 1. giant Amgen Inc. on Wednesday continued trying to expand its product base, forging an alliance with a Sunnyvale firm to develop and market a new type of drug to treat blood clots Blood Clots Definition A blood clot is a thickened mass in the blood formed by tiny substances called platelets. Clots form to stop bleeding, such as at the site of cut. in the legs. Amgen discovered the experimental drug, called alfimeprase, that is derived from what are known as fibrolase enzymes Enzymes Organic substances (proteins) composed of amino acids that trigger and regulate chemical reactions in the body. There are over 700 identified human enzymes. Mentioned in: Interactions, Nutritional Supplements . Sunnyvale-based Hyseq Pharmaceuticals will conduct the clinical trials and Amgen will be responsible for manufacturing. Amgen will also have the option to lead commercialization efforts but both companies can participate. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Hyseq gave Amgen warrants to buy Hyseq stock at a premium to its current market price. Amgen shares lost 77 cents, or 1.36 percent, Wednesday to close at $55.77. ``I think in this case it's probably a more significant arrangement for Hyseq than it is for Amgen. The key thing is that Amgen retains the option to commercialize the product and also retains manufacturing rights,'' said Dennis Harp harp, stringed musical instrument of ancient origin, the strings of which are plucked with the fingers. Harps were found in paintings from the 13th cent. B.C. at Thebes. In different forms it was played by peoples of nearly all lands throughout the ages. , an analyst at Deutsche Banc Alex Brown Alex Brown may refer to:
Analyst Cory Kasimov at Gruntal & Co. said he doubts whether this partnership is a big focus for Amgen. Amgen spokesman Jeff Richardson would not comment on the alliance beyond what the companies said in a joint press release. The companies said pre-clinical trials are promising. ``We have studied the characteristics of alfimeprase and believe it may offer significant benefits to patients,'' Roger Perlmutter, Amgen's executive vice president for research and development, said in a statement. Hyseq's spokesman could not be reached for comment. Hyseq is an early-stage biotech firm that specializes in discovering human genes, whose sequences are determined and placed into company databases for later use in helping to develop medicines. This is the third such deal Amgen announced in less than a week. On Jan. 3, the company said it would collaborate with Acadia Pharmaceuticals of San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. to discover novel small-molecule drugs. This could lead to pills to fight a variety of maladies. Amgen also expanded on a three-year drug discovery deal established last month with Carlsbad-based Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. That deal granted Amgen access to some of Isis' intellectual property, including patents. |
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