Monument Genomics Fund First to Focus on New Phase of 'Genomics Revolution'
White Paper: Genome Mapping Was 'Race to the Starting Line';
New Monument Fund is Managed by MBA With a Ph.D. in Genetics
BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Monument Funds Group launched
today the Monument Genomics Fund, the first U.S. mutual fund to focus on the
new phase of the "genomics revolution," which will use the mapping of the
human genome as the basis for developing new drugs, software and hardware.
The Monument Genomics Fund will be overseen by a fund manager with an
unusual, but apt, combination of degrees: a Ph.D. in genetics and a MBA. Dr.
Alidad Mireskandari possesses a BS degree (biology) and a Ph.D. (genetics)
from the George Washington University and a MBA degree from the University of
Michigan Business School. Dr. Mireskandari already serves as the manager of
the Monument Medical Sciences Fund.
In a new Monument "white paper" study, Genomics: The Second Stage of the
Revolution, Dr. Mireskandari notes: "The mapping of the human genome was the
'race to the starting line' ... Looking past the initial hype, it is clear
that the unmasking of the human genetic sequences has sparked the rise of four
emerging sub-sectors. These sub-sectors promise to deliver substantial growth
opportunities to investors in the next decade, as researchers use genomic
information to improve drug development. To move forward, the industry must
rationalize the data at hand, must develop tools and technologies to improve
protein-level automation, and must increase the number of identified and
validated therapeutics targets."
Monument Funds Group Chief Executive Officer David A Kugler said:
"Monument prides itself on being there first for investors who want to take
full advantage of interest and growth in the hottest sectors of our fast-
changing economy. From our Chief Investment Officer Bob Grandhi on down, we
have today the best team at Monument that we have ever fielded. Dr.
Mireskandari has exactly the right blend of medical and business know-how to
help investors navigate the complex world of genomics."
The Monument Genomics Fund invests primarily in equity securities of
companies engaged in research, development, production or distribution of
genomics technologies, processes, services or related activities. Genomics
related activities may include biological and bioinformation technologies;
gene mapping and sequencing technologies; gene delivery technologies; and
other technologies and services.
The Monument Medical Sciences Fund Class A shares generated a 12-month
return of 98.37 percent through September 30, 2000. Since inception on
January 6, 1998, the Fund returned 215.59 percent through September 30, 2000.
Year-to-date return is 45.31 percent through September 30, 2000. Performance
returns reflect the deduction of a maximum sales charge of 5.75 percent.
Reduced sales charges may apply.
HIGHLIGHTS OF GENOMICS WHITE PAPER
It is estimated that traditional molecular biology and combinatorial
chemistry techniques have identified about 500 drug targets and 60 therapeutic
protein antibodies to date. In the next few years, genomics research has the
potential to discover 20 times the number of drug targets and four times the
number of therapeutics proteins.
Only a fraction of the 60 or so genomics-related companies are currently
pursuing a drug development business model. The capital requirements, cost
prohibitions and technical and operational challenges are extraordinarily
high. A majority of genomics companies have adopted business models to
support the activities of other drug development companies. These new
business models define the four major sub-sectors of the second phase of the
genomics revolution: genomic technology enablers; computational genetics/bio-
informatics; functional genomics/proteomics; genomic-based product
development. (For a discussion of all four sub-sectors, see the Monument
white paper after 3 p.m. EST today at
monumentfunds.com
The Monument white paper report also sets out Dr. Mireskandari's views
about six companies to watch in 2001 and beyond in genomics. The six
companies are Human Genome Sciences, Exelixis, Myriad Genetics, Rosetta
Inpharmatics, Lexicon Genetics and Genomics Solution.
ABOUT DR. MIRESKANDARI
Alidad Mireskandari, Ph.D., MBA, is the portfolio manager of the Monument
Genomics Fund and the Monument Medical Sciences Fund. Before joining Monument,
he was a manager in the Life Sciences Industry Group at Pittiglio Rabin Todd &
McGrath, a premier global consulting firm to high technology companies. He
consulted on development of technology and product cycle-time improvements in
the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry.
Earlier, Dr. Mireskandari evaluated strategic business opportunities in
the combinatorial chemistry industry for Fisher Scientific. For the five years
prior to joining Fisher, Dr. Mireskandari was a research fellow at NIH's
National Cancer Institute. In its Laboratory of Molecular Virology, he led a
team conducting analysis of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1)
infection and replication mechanisms.
ABOUT MONUMENT FUNDS GROUP
The Monument Funds Group strives to provide investors with exciting
opportunities to profit from the growth of cutting-edge sectors of the
emerging economy of the 21st century. The Monument Funds Group currently
offers five funds: the Monument Digital Technology Fund, the Monument EuroNet
Fund, the Monument Genomics Fund, the Monument Medical Sciences Fund and the
Monument Telecommunications Fund. These Funds are best suited for individual
and institutional investors who seek greater returns and are willing to accept
the greater risk associated with concentrated investments.
HEAR THE MEDIA EVENT: A Web-based recording of Dr. Mireskandari's news
briefing will be available as of 6 p.m. EST on November 15, 2000 at
monumentfunds.com .
READ THE WHITE PAPER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MONUMENT GENOMICS FUND ON
THE WEB AT: monumentfunds.com
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return
and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The Monument Genomics Fund may involve significantly greater risks and
therefore may experience greater volatility than a mutual fund that does not
concentrate its investments in one industry. Although we believe that genomics
may revolutionize and serve as the foundation of drug development, there is no
guarantee that genomics research will result in a commercially viable product.
The Monument Medical Sciences Fund may involve significantly greater risk
and, therefore, may experience greater volatility than a mutual fund that does
not concentrate its investments in one industry.
Must be preceded or accompanied by a current Monument Funds Group
prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
For further information, contact your financial adviser or call Monument
Funds Group at 1-888-420-9950. Visit on the Web at
monumentfunds.com .
SOURCE Monument Funds Group
Web Site: monumentfunds.com
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