ChiroScience and Geron Form Joint Research Collaboration Around Gene for Premature Aging.LONDON, UK and MENLO PARK Menlo Park. 1 Residential city (1990 pop. 28,040), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1874. Electronic equipment and aerospace products are manufactured in the city. Menlo College and a Stanford Univ. research institute are there. 2 Uninc. , Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 15, 1997--Chiroscience Group plc (CRO-L), through its subsidiary Darwin Molecular Corporation, and Geron Corporation (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 :GERN v. t. 1. To grin or yawn. ) today announce a research collaboration agreement focusing on diseases associated with the process of aging. The collaboration capitalizes on Darwin's earlier discovery of the Werner's Syndrome Wer·ner's syndrome n. A hereditary disease of young adults characterized by short stature, early graying, cataracts, vascular disorders, and generally premature aging and death. gene, the first discovered human gene which directly affects the aging process. The biochemical pathways in the cells affected by Werner's Syndrome will be the major scientific focus for the collaboration. Werner's Syndrome models the aging process in that the gene for this rare hereditary disease causes patients to exhibit the physical features of premature aging such as graying of hair and wrinkles. They also have lifespans that are significantly reduced and they prematurely develop a number of aging-related diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer, treatment of which costs the US healthcare system around $200 billion per annum Per annum Yearly. . The collaboration will be directed at discovering and developing new therapies and diagnostic tools for these and other aging-related diseases. Darwin Discovery, Chiroscience's drug discovery and development business formed after the acquisition of Darwin Molecular, will provide Geron with access to its intellectual property and research in this area, as well as ongoing support using its sequencing and bioinformatic capabilities. Geron will receive exclusive licenses in exchange for payments in Geron common stock at set milestone points. In addition, Chiroscience will share in Geron's commercial returns from products arising from the research. "The Werner's Syndrome gene is an important discovery, and we are delighted to team up with Geron to exploit our knowledge and intellectual property in this area. Geron has strong research expertise in this unique field and by working together, we can maximize the commercial opportunities," said David Galas, executive director of discovery research for Darwin Discovery. Michael Kozlowski, program director for genomics of aging at Geron commented, "The Werner's gene is a particularly important research tool because it produces advanced aging not only at the macroscopic macroscopic /mac·ro·scop·ic/ (mak?ro-skop´ik) gross (2). mac·ro·scop·ic or mac·ro·scop·i·cal adj. 1. Large enough to be perceived or examined by the unaided eye. 2. level, but also at the level of the cell. That property of the Werner's gene makes this collaboration a valuable addition to Geron's genomics of aging program, which is focused on treating age-related diseases by preventing or reversing the effects of cellular aging." The Werner's Syndrome gene was cloned and characterized by Darwin scientists and Dr. Gerard Schellenberg's team at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Research Center. This team also studied the Werner's Syndrome gene in collaboration with scientists at the University of Washington. -0- The company desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Specifically, the company wishes to alert readers the matters discussed in this press release may constitute certain forward-looking statements that are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect the company's results are included in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarter ended June 30, 1997. -0- Notes to editors: Chiroscience Group plc Chiroscience is an emerging pharmaceutical company operating in the UK and USA, which uses its diverse technology platform to discover and develop novel medicines for improved healthcare. The Group has two principal activities, operating as Darwin Discovery and ChiroTech. Chiroscience is listed on the London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange London marketplace for securities. It was formed in 1773 by a group of stockbrokers who had been doing business informally in local coffeehouses. . Darwin Discovery embraces activities in Cambridge, Seattle and Stevenage, including gene-based research and molecular biology molecular biology, scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion, and reproduction. The term molecular biology was coined in 1938 by Warren Weaver, then director of the natural sciences program at the Rockefeller , through chiral-based, combinatorial, medicinal and process chemistries, to clinical development. It is engaged in the discovery and development of innovative small molecule drugs and related diagnostics with a therapeutic focus on autoimmune disease autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF, or rheumatoid factor, is complexed to the individual's own gamma , cancer, inflammation, pain and osteoporosis. ChiroTech provides chiral chi·ral adj. Of or relating to the structural characteristic of a molecule that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image. chi·ral technology services to customers within the pharmaceutical and related industries and in support of Darwin Discovery's research and development programs. Geron Corporation Geron Corporation is a Nasdaq-quoted California-based biopharmaceutical company exclusively focused on discovering and developing therapeutic and diagnostic products based upon common biological mechanisms underlying cancer and other age-related diseases. The company's strategy combines: a focus on fundamental biological mechanisms of cellular aging and cellular immortality to treat cancer and other age-related diseases and conditions; building therapeutic discovery and diagnostic programs on its common scientific platform; selective pursuit of strategic collaborations; retention of rights to develop and market products independently; and continued enhancement of its proprietary leadership position in the field. Recently Geron scientists discovered a new protein which makes up the core of the enzyme called human telomerase telomerase /telo·mer·ase/ (te-lo´mer-as) a DNA polymerase involved in the formation of telomeres and the maintenance of telomere sequences during replication. te·lom·er·ase n. , which keeps cells healthy as they divide. Telomerase is essential for normal human development, but shuts off when cells are mature. Without telomerase, cells gradually become old and die. Werner's Syndrome Werner's Syndrome is considered to be a model of the aging process in that Werner's patients exhibit the physical features of premature aging like graying and loss of hair, wrinkled skin and other changes in physical appearance, have life spans that are significantly reduced (to an average of 47 years), and prematurely develop a number of major age-related diseases. These diseases include several forms of atherosclerosis, cancers, osteoporosis, type II diabetes Type II diabetes Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually appears in middle aged adults. It is often associated with obesity and may be delayed or controlled with diet and exercise. Mentioned in: Diabetic Ketoacidosis and ocular cataracts. The discovery of the Werner's gene, reported in Science (vol 272, pp 258-262), is expected to lead to an understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of the aging process and to the identification of novel components of the pathways that lead to these age-related diseases, against which small molecule drugs can be designed. CONTACT: Chiroscience Group plc Dr. Andy Richards, Executive Director Pharmaceutical Business Development or Andy Burrows Andy Burrows (born Andrew Burrows, 30 June 1979, Winchester, England) is the current drummer for Razorlight as well as a pianist, after joining the band in May 2004. , Media Relations or Rebecca Iveson, Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. , +44 1223 420430 http://www.chiroscience.com or Geron Corporation David Greenwood, CFO/VP Corporate Development, 650/473-7700 or Media Inquiries StratiPoint Group Mike Jackman, 415/388-3216 or Investor Inquiries Burns McClellan John Nugent, 212/213-0006 |
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