CombiMatrix to Collaborate with Seattle Biomedical Research Institute in Developing RNAi Compounds & Gene Regulation Research.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2003 Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX)(Nasdaq:ACTG ACTG Acting ACTG AIDS Clinical Trial Group ACTG Actuating/Actuator ) announced today that CombiMatrix is collaborating with researchers at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Seattle Biomedical Research Institute is the largest independent, non-profit organization in the United States focused solely on infectious disease research. The mission of SBRI's nearly 250 employees is to eliminate the world's most devastating infectious diseases through (SBRI SBRI Small Business Research Initiative SBRI Serikat Buruh Rokok Indonesia (Indonesia Cigarette Factory Workers Union) ), the leading U.S. non-profit research institute dedicated solely to infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. research. The collaboration was formed to conduct a range of research activities based on CombiMatrix's flexible chip technology. Dr. Peter Myler, Principal Investigator at SBRI is among several researchers actively investigating fundamental research in infectious diseases. The collaborative effort will use customized gene expression microarrays for investigating differential gene regulation of the Leishmania Leishmania /Leish·ma·nia/ (lesh-ma´ne-ah) a genus of parasitic protozoa, including several species pathogenic for humans. In some classifications, organisms are placed in four complexes comprising species and subspecies: L. parasite lifecycle. In addition, Dr. Reza Salavati is applying CombiMatrix's 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 technology to develop pools of RNAi compounds to silence multiple genes in Trypasonoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi Trypanosoma cru·zi n. A protozoan that is the causative agent of South American trypanosomiasis. and Leishmania major. These initial efficacy screenings may lead to powerful post-genomic approaches in the area of functional genomics, as well as the development of a new class of potent therapeutics. "We are looking forward to working with CombiMatrix and applying their technologies to our research," said Dr. Myler. "The ability to rapidly build microarrays with custom content as well as the ability to generate pools of bioactive bi·o·ac·tive adj. Of or relating to a substance that has an effect on living tissue. bioactive having an effect on or eliciting a response from living tissue. RNA compounds will help boost our research activities here at SBRI." 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 said, "We are excited about working with researchers at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, a world leader in infectious disease research. We believe that our technology can help overcome scientific hurdles and further advance the pace of discovery at SBRI." About Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Founded in 1976, SBRI is the largest independent non-profit institute in the U.S. dedicated solely to infectious disease research. SBRI has collaborations with over 75 of the leading pharmaceutical and academic research centers from around the world for the prevention, diagnosis and cure of global infectious diseases, which are responsible for more than 14 million deaths each year. SBRI has a staff of approximately 140, which includes more than 100 scientists ranging from students to Ph.D.s and M.D.s. The majority of SBRI's operational funding for specific research projects comes from governmental and health agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. Individuals, foundations and corporations provide additional funding for special initiatives, infrastructure and new technologies. www.sbri.org About Acacia Research Corporation 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, drug discovery, and immunochemical im·mu·no·chem·is·try n. The chemistry of immunologic phenomena, as of antigen-antibody reactions. im detection. 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 initial focus of Express Track(SM) are the following viral diseases:
Virus Collaborator
SARS NIAID/USAMRIID
HIV type 1 irsiCaixa-Dr. Bonaventura Clotet
HIV type 2 To Be Announced
West Nile virus To Be Announced
Human Papillomavirus type 16 To Be Announced
Human Herpes 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma) To Be Announced
Smallpox (Variola) To Be Announced
Influenza virus A To Be Announced
Influenza virus B To Be Announced
Hepatitis C To Be Announced
CombiMatrix is also establishing applications of its arrays through
other partnerships as follows:
Project Collaborator
Cancer Diagnosis (Lymphoma) University of
Washington/Rational Diagnostics
Parasite
Leishmania Seattle Biomedical Research
Institute
Trypasonoma Seattle Biomedical Research
Institute
The Acacia Technologies group licenses its DMT See DSL. and V-Chip technologies to media and electronics companies. The DMT technology covers the transmission and receipt of digital audio and digital video content, commonly known as audio on-demand, video on-demand, and audio/video streaming, and is supported by 5 U.S. and 17 international patents. 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 Acacia Research Corporation and the Acacia Technologies group is available at www.acaciaresearch.com. Information about the CombiMatrix group is available at www.combimatrix.com. 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. Statement under 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: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. , recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. , recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. |
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