InSite Vision Announces Enhancement to Glaucoma Genetic Program
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 14, 1999--InSite Vision Incorporated (AMEX:ISV) today announced the signing of a glaucoma genetic research agreement with Canadian Laval University.
The research agreement covers the discovery of new genes associated with glaucoma, and extends InSite's current glaucoma mutation screening database to include the Canadian population.
"We believe that our collaboration with Laval, and other research agreements currently under negotiation, will broaden and strengthen our existing glaucoma genetic research program, much of which is currently being conducted by researchers in academic institutions worldwide," said S. Kumar Chandrasekaran, Ph.D., InSite's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The addition of the Canadian population to our glaucoma screening database represents our commitment to expand and validate the use of TIGR gene mutations in glaucoma diagnosis, prognosis, and disease management."
Currently, InSite Vision is working with prominent glaucoma genetic researchers around the world, including France, Sweden, Japan, Canada, and the United States, on the discovery of new genes and new treatments for various forms of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States. It affects 2 to 3 million people in United States. Recent evidence indicates that the disease is caused by changes in the TIGR gene. These changes may lead to overproduction of the TIGR protein, which may plug up the drainage system of the eye, resulting in a buildup of pressure in the eye and the optic nerve damage associated with glaucoma.
Such changes in the TIGR gene can be detected using state-of-art gene mutation screening technology. The TIGR gene mutations and detection technology form the basis of InSite's ISV-900 program, which is designed to explore various uses of TIGR gene and its associated mutations for glaucoma diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutics development, and disease management.
This press release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of InSite Vision. Such statements entail a number of risks and uncertainties involving the results of preclinical and clinical studies and determinations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Risk Factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC filings including, but not limited to, its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.
CONTACT:
InSite Vision Incorporated
Sandra Heine, 510/865-8800
or
Core Communications Group, Inc.
Robert Ferri, 415/331-7003 (SF)
rferri@nextwavestocks.com
Joshua Z. Levine, 516/487-8322 (NY)
jzlevine@nextwavestocks.com |
