REPLICor Appoints Axel Ullrich to Its Scientific Advisory Board.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K MONTREAL--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 30, 2001 REPLICor Inc., announces today the appointment of Professor Axel Ullrich Axel Ullrich born October 19, 1943) Lauban, Schlesien, Germany in is an German cancer researcher and has been the Director of Molecular biology at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany since 1988. His research has primarily focused on signal transduction. to its Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Ullrich is an internationally renowned scientist specialized in the field of cellular communication and cancer and a leading biotech entrepreneur. Professor Ullrich has been Director and Head of the 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 Department at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany since 1988. In 1991, he co-founded SUGEN, Inc. (USA) and in 1998 he founded Axxima Pharmaceuticals AG (DE). From 1979 to 1988, Professor Ullrich served as Senior Scientist and Staff Scientist at Genentech, Inc. where his team cloned the gene for insulin. His pioneering research led to the first marketed product originating from gene technology, human insulin human insulin n. A protein that has the normal structure of insulin produced by the human pancreas but that is prepared by recombinant DNA techniques and by semisynthetic processes. for the treatment of diabetes. He was also instrumental to the development of the first biotech cancer therapy, Genentech/Hoffmann-La Roche's Herceptin. Professor Axel Ullrich published more than 400 scientific articles including 22 in Nature and 15 in Science. He is also inventor on more than 50 biotech patents. "We are extremely fortunate to have Professor Ullrich as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board," said Jean-Marc Juteau, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of REPLICor. "The nomination of professor Ullrich to our Scientific Advisory Board brings a wealth in research expertise, biotech industry knowledge and recognition that will greatly benefit the progression of REPLICor as a world leader in DNA replication DNA replication is the process of copying a double-stranded DNA molecule. This process is important in all known life forms and the general mechanisms of DNA replication are not the same in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. ." Professor Ullrich said, "I look forward to working with my distinguished colleagues on the company's Scientific Advisory Board and playing a key role in REPLICor's continued progress." REPLICor is a bio-pharmaceutical company focused on developing and bringing to market a technology based on the earliest event of cell division, the initiation of DNA replication. The company develops its technology in three programs: Gene Therapy: REPori is the minimal DNA replication origin of the mammalian chromosomes. Vectors (or vehicle) bearing the REPori show autonomous replication and high stability in human cells. Developing replicating mammalian vectors solves major problems encountered by the industry: stability, level of expression and toxicity of viral vectors Viral vectors are a tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). . REPori is available through exclusive collaborations. The company is also testing first versions of its human artificial chromosome A human artificial chromosome (short HAC) is a microchromosome that can act as a new chromosome in a population of human cells. That is, instead of 46 chromosomes, the cell could have 47 with the 47th being very small, roughly 6-10 megabases in size, and able to carry new , the Nanosome. Therapeutics: The company has identified families of active chemicals interfering with origins of DNA replication and showing inhibition or activation of DNA replication. Targeting the earliest event in cell division permits the development of potent and specific therapeutics for cancer and/or tissue regeneration. Drug Discovery: The Company has identified and validated pharmaceutical targets involved in DNA replication and used for screening new active molecules in a proprietary method immobilizing im·mo·bi·lize tr.v. im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing, im·mo·bi·liz·es 1. To render immobile. 2. To fix the position of (a joint or fractured limb), as with a splint or cast. 3. 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. molecules in a liquid chromatographic chro·mat·o·graph n. An instrument that produces a chromatogram. tr.v. chro·mat·o·graphed, chro·mat·o·graph·ing, chro·mat·o·graphs To separate and analyze by chromatography. system. Such system is also suitable for high throughput screening with enzymes, transporters and cell-surface receptors. This system is available for external collaborations. |
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