Atugen and AstraZeneca to Do Gene Target Validation.BERLIN--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 25, 1999-- Atugen Biotechnology GmbH Wednesday announced that it has signed a research collaboration with AstraZeneca, Charnwood, U.K., to evaluate Atugen's target validation services through Atugen USA, a subsidiary of Atugen Biotechnology GmbH. Financial terms were not disclosed. Astra is to provide Atugen with gene targets and cell lines of interest for in vitro in vitro /in vi·tro/ (in ve´tro) [L.] within a glass; observable in a test tube; in an artificial environment. in vi·tro adj. In an artificial environment outside a living organism. screening and delivery optimization, and Atugen will develop GeneBloc(TM) reagents to knock down the genes of interest. Atugen is to perform quantitative RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic analysis and technology transfer to enable Astra to utilize the best GeneBlocs, proprietary delivery vehicles and protocols for phenotypic phe·no·type n. 1. a. The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences. b. analysis. Astra also has the option to receive validated GeneBlocs against their targets for in vivo in vivo /in vi·vo/ (ve´vo) [L.] within the living body. in vi·vo adj. Within a living organism. in vivo adv. validation. "We are very satisfied with the rapid acceptance of Atugen's target discovery and validation technology by the global pharmaceutical industry. Atugen's high throughput technology helps our pharma partners to overcome a major bottleneck in drug discovery -- namely the identification of the right targets out of a large number of potential targets generated through genomics," said Dr. Michael Steinmetz, Atugen's Acting chief executive officer. Dr. Michael Steinmetz is Managing Director at MPM MPM Multi-Processing Module (Apache) MPM Manufacturing Process Management MPM Milwaukee Public Museum MPM MMW (Millimeter Wave) Power Module MPM Master of Project Management (degree) Asset Management, which manages the Bioventures family of funds Family of Funds A group of mutual funds offered by one investment or fund company. Each mutual fund has different characteristics and can range depending on investment objective. Also referred to as a "Mutual Fund Family" or simply a "Fund Family". , the Venture Capital investor in Atugen. This announcement follows a recent announcement of Atugen's collaboration with Roche Biosciences to perform target validation services. This marks the second agreement completed since Atugen was incorporated after becoming an independent spin-off of Ribozyme Ribozyme A ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule that, like a protein, can catalyze specific biochemical reactions. Examples include self-splicing rRNA and RNase P, both involved in catalyzing RNA processing reactions (that is, the biochemical reactions that convert Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI RPI - Rockwell Protocol Interface )(NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :RZYM). At the incorporation of Atugen, Atugen/RPI had five corporate partners for its target discovery and validation programs including Schering AG (and its US Berlex subsidiary), Chiron Corp., Parke Davis (Warner Lambert), Glaxo Wellcome and Roche Biosciences (formerly partnered for Target Discovery only). Atugen USA has assumed responsibility for providing research services for these collaborations. Atugen Biotechnology, GmbH is an integrated genomics company, with headquarters in Berlin. Atugen's mission is to provide its pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with cost-effective, high throughput target analysis, plus in vitro and in vivo target discovery and validation to accelerate the drug development process. This release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. The information is based on management's current expectations but actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including those mentioned in this release, risks and uncertainties, including market conditions, competitive pricing, the successful outcome of clinical trials, the timely receipt of regulatory approvals and those outlined in RPI filings with the SEC. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion