Roche Diagnostics in Strategic Alliance With Acacia Research Subsidiary, CombiMatrix Corp.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K PASADENA, Calif.--(BW Health Wire)--July 3, 2001 Acacia acacia (əkā`shə), any plant of the large leguminous genus Acacia, often thorny shrubs and trees of the family Leguminosae (pulse family). Research Corp. (Nasdaq:ACRI) today announced that its majority-owned subsidiary majority-owned subsidiary A firm in which more than 50% of outstanding voting stock is owned by the parent company. , CombiMatrix Corp., has entered into a non-exclusive worldwide license, supply, research, and development agreement with Roche Diagnostics Roche Diagnostics Division is a subsidiary of Hoffmann-La Roche which manufactures equipment and reagents for research and medical diagnostic applications. Internally, it is organized into six major business areas: Roche Applied Science, Roche Centralized Diagnostics, Roche . Under the terms of the agreement, Roche Diagnostics will purchase, use and resell CombiMatrix's biochips (microarrays) and related technology for rapid production of customizable biochips. Additionally, CombiMatrix and Roche will develop a platform technology, providing a range of standardized biochips for use in important research applications. The agreement allows Roche in the future to use, develop and resell licensed CombiMatrix products in diagnostic applications. The agreement includes an undisclosed revenue sharing revenue sharing Funding arrangement in which one government unit grants a portion of its tax income to another government unit. For example, provinces or states may share revenue with local governments, or national governments may share revenue with provinces or states. arrangement and has a term of 15 years. The agreement provides for minimum payments by Roche to CombiMatrix over the first three years including royalties, payments for products, and R&D projects. Biochips are valuable tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations, and gene products (proteins) by vastly increasing the number of genes that can be studied in a single experiment. Demand for these tools is driven by the exploitation of the Human Genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. Project information. "Combining Roche's expertise in genetics, genomics and proteomics with CombiMatrix's Biochip biochip Small-scale device, analogous to an integrated circuit, constructed of or used to analyze organic molecules associated with living organisms. One type of theoretical biochip is a small device constructed of large organic molecules, such as proteins, and capable of Platform will not only speed up but also shape the future of genomic research. Integrating flexible design of products in a single system will provide the scientific community with customized high throughput research tools," stressed Heino von Prondzynski, Head of Roche Diagnostics. "This unique platform will be useful for multiple applications, including gene expression studies, single nucleotide polymorphism Noun 1. single nucleotide polymorphism - (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily successful enough to recur in a (SNP SNP Scottish National Party Noun 1. SNP - (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily ) analysis, disease classification, pathway identification, and toxicology toxicology, study of poisons, or toxins, from the standpoint of detection, isolation, identification, and determination of their effects on the human body. Toxicology may be considered the branch of pharmacology devoted to the study of the poisonous effects of drugs. studies," stated Susanne Raehs, Head of Roche Applied Science. "Our customizable biological array processors will enable potential customers to reduce the time and costs associated with the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products." Gerald Knudson, chairman and chief executive officer of CombiMatrix, said today: "Roche Diagnostics is a clear leader in its field with a high level of market penetration Noun 1. market penetration - the extent to which a product is recognized and bought by customers in a particular market penetration - the act of entering into or through something; "the penetration of upper management by women" in over 170 countries. Roche's market position, along with its excellent reputation, will enhance CombiMatrix's establishment of its technology as `The Single Platform for Discovery(TM)'." A biochip is a collection of miniaturized test sites arranged on a surface that permits many tests to be performed simultaneously, or in parallel, in order to achieve higher throughput and speed. CombiMatrix's integrated system of semiconductor-based arrays offers the advantages of being cost-effective, fast, flexible, and customizable. The CombiMatrix system should enable researchers to conduct rapid, iterative it·er·a·tive adj. 1. Characterized by or involving repetition, recurrence, reiteration, or repetitiousness. 2. Grammar Frequentative. Noun 1. experiments to analyze the large amounts of genomic information generated by the Human Genome Project and other genomic research efforts. In typical practical applications, the results of an initial experiment will be analyzed and used to change the composition of the biochip to further optimize its performance. The user may wish to change the sequences of some array elements, eliminate some sequences, or incorporate additional sequences. The CombiMatrix system will allow Roche to provide biochips with the desired changes within a few days. About Acacia Research Acacia Research develops and operates life science and enabling technology companies. The company's core technology opportunity has been developed through its subsidiary, CombiMatrix. Acacia Research intends to build and acquire companies in the life science and material science fields that will utilize CombiMatrix's biochip technology. Acacia Research's Web site is located at www.acaciaresearch.com. About CombiMatrix CombiMatrix is developing a platform technology that allows the company 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. The company is designing its products principally to be responsive to the needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic researchers in analyzing raw genomic data in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products. CombiMatrix's Web site is located at www.combimatrix.com. About Roche With headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-oriented health-care groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche's products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and quality of life. Roche's Diagnostics Division supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide. This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning 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. These statements address future events and conditions concerning the company's business plans. Such statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, such as future economic conditions, changes in consumer demand, and legislative, regulatory and competitive developments. Acacia Research urges investors to review in detail the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to the company's 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. for the year ended Dec. 31, 2000, the company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. , and the company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on Feb. 6, 2001, copies of which can be obtained from the company or the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company expressly disclaims any future obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein. |
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