Tularik Announces Advances in Patent Position Covering Novel Screening Assays and Key Therapeutic Targets.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 1996-- Tularik Inc. today announced the issuance of two U.S. Patents, No. 5,563,036 covering the development and use of novel in vitro transcription factor binding assays, and No. 5,563,039, covering a key component of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway.

The Company also announced that Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the University of California have received allowance from the U.S. Patent Office for two patent applications covering fundamental proteins that regulate growth and differentiation of all cells. Tularik has licensed exclusive development rights to these technologies. "These patents and patent allowances establish for Tularik strong proprietary positions relating to transcription factor binding assays for pharmaceutical discovery as well as key therapeutic targets in areas such as inflammatory, infectious and neoproliferative disease," said David V. Goeddel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tularik.

Patent 5,563,036, which covers in vitro transcription factor binding assays, includes generic claims encompassing virtually any commercially viable solid-phase transcription factor binding assay. The inventors named in the patent include M. Gregory Peterson, Ph.D. and Vijay R. Baichwal, Ph.D., both scientists at Tularik. "High-throughput binding assays are a cornerstone of Tularik's unique capability to identify novel small molecule therapeutics active at the level of gene transcription," said Dr. Peterson.

Patent 5,563,039 includes claims that encompass a novel protein, "TRADD," which plays a key role in TNF signaling, nucleic acids encoding TRADD and methods of use, including pharmaceutical screens. The TRADD protein possesses a unique "death domain" which has been shown to induce apoptosis, or cell death. TRADD also appears to be an important mediator of the inflammatory response triggered by TNF. The allowed patent claims surrounding the technologies licensed by Tularik from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the University of California relate to the origin recognition complex (ORC) proteins, which are involved in replication of the human genome, nucleic acids encoding the various ORC proteins, and methods of use, including pharmaceutical screens.

Tularik Inc., a privately-held company based in South San Francisco, is focused on developing therapeutics which act through the regulation of gene expression. By discovering and understanding how a given human gene is "switched on and off" to cause specific diseases, the Company identifies specific targets for therapeutic intervention. Tularik is advancing six therapeutic programs including inflammation, viral diseases, hypercholesterolemia, immune disorders, bacterial diseases and obesity. The Company has strategic partnerships with Merck & Co., Inc., Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Japan Tobacco Inc.

CONTACT: Tularik Inc.

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