CombiMatrix and irsiCaixa Expand HIV RNAi Collaboration to Include Hepatitis C.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2004 Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX)(Nasdaq:ACTG ACTG Acting ACTG AIDS Clinical Trial Group ACTG Actuating/Actuator ) announced today that its CombiMatrix group is expanding its collaboration with the research group of Professor Bonaventura Clotet, M.D., Ph.D., of the Retrovirology Laboratory irsiCaixa, to conduct the initial efficacy screening of pooled siRNA compounds against the hepatitis C virus
"We have seen some good results with our HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. compounds and are continuing to pursue this program," said Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of CombiMatrix. "We look forward to expanding our relationship with Dr. Clotet to include testing of our siRNA pools for hepatitis C Hepatitis C Definition Hepatitis C is a form of liver inflammation that causes primarily a long-lasting (chronic) disease. Acute (newly developed) hepatitis C is rarely observed as the early disease is generally quite mild. ." "The Hepatitis C and HIV viruses are two of the most deadly and prevalent viruses of our times," said Professor Bonaventura Clotet, M.D., Ph.D. "We see a growing population of co-infected patients whose morbidity and mortality Morbidity and Mortality can refer to:
It is estimated that over 4.5 million Americans and over 200 million people worldwide have been infected with hepatitis C. More than 80% develop chronic infections that lead to liver disease Liver Disease Definition Liver disease is a general term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the liver. Description The liver is a large, solid organ located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. . Viral hepatitis viral hepatitis n. Any of various forms of hepatitis caused by a virus. viral hepatitis, n an inflammatory condition of the liver, caused by the hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, delta, E, F, G, or H. C and HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome are infectious diseases that are transmitted in many of the same ways and have drastic, long-term medical, economic, and social consequences for those infected with either or both viruses. About one quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with the hepatitis C. About Retrovirology Laboratory irsiCaixa The irsiCaixa Foundation is a leading institute and reference center for the research and treatment of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Europe. The Foundation was founded in 1995 with the objectives of advocating, inspiring and spreading medical investigation on (AIDS). The irsiCaixa Foundation Scientific Committee includes many world-renowned experts in the field of HIV research (www.irsicaixa.org/english/about/a_stru.html#comite). The activity of the irsiCaixa Foundation is mainly carried out in the Retrovirology Laboratory of the University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol in Badalona (Barcelona, Spain). The laboratory director is Dr. Bonaventura Clotet, chief of the AIDS unit of the University Hospital. Dr. Clotet received his M.D. of Medicine and Surgery at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, in 1976. He earned his Ph.D. in the investigation of surrogate markers for connective tissue diseases in 1981. Dr. Clotet has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers. He is on the Editorial Board of the AIDS Journal and the Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care. He has also authored numerous books and chapters on retrovirology and is an expert on siRNA and AIDS. Professor Clotet is part of the organizing committees of several drug resistance workshops and International Conferences on AIDS, and he is an active member of the Expert Commission for the evaluation of research projects in the National Programme of Health and National AIDS Programme. Dr. Clotet was a co-chair of the Barcelona World AIDS meeting 2002. Information about the irsiCaixa Foundation is available at www.irsicaixa.org. About Acacia Research Coporation Acacia Research Corporation comprises two operating groups: Acacia Technologies Group and CombiMatrix Group. The CombiMatrix group is developing a platform technology to rapidly produce customizable active biochips, which are semiconductor-based tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. CombiMatrix's technology has a wide range of applications including DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. synthesis/diagnostics, siRNA synthesis, drug discovery, and immunochemical im·mu·no·chem·is·try n. The chemistry of immunologic phenomena, as of antigen-antibody reactions. im detection. CombiMatrix provides DNA arrays to researchers under the CustomArray(TM) brand. CombiMatrix's Express Track(sm) drug discovery program is a systems biology approach, using its technology, to target common viral diseases with siRNA compounds. The Acacia Technologies Group develops, acquires, and licenses patented technologies. Acacia's DMT See DSL. technology, which is supported by 5 U.S. and 31 foreign patents, relates to audio and audio/video transmission and receiving systems commonly known as audio-on-demand, video-on-demand, and audio/video streaming, and is used for distributing digital content via several means including Internet, cable, satellite and wireless systems. Acacia Research-Acacia Technologies (Nasdaq:ACTG) and Acacia Research-CombiMatrix (Nasdaq:CBMX) are both classes of common stock issued by Acacia Research Corporation and are intended to reflect the performance of the respective operating groups and are not issued by the operating groups. Information about the Acacia Technologies Group and the CombiMatrix Group is available at www.acaciaresearch.com. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. 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