AstraZeneca and Atugen to Collaborate On Gene Target Validation
BERLIN--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 23, 1999--Atugen Biotechnology GmbH Monday announced that it has signed a research collaboration with AstraZeneca, Charnwood, U.K., to evaluate Atugen's target validation services through Atugen USA, a subsidiary of Atugen Biotechnology GmbH. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Astra is to provide Atugen with gene targets and cell lines of interest for in vitro screening and delivery optimization, and Atugen will develop GeneBloc(TM) reagents to knock down the genes of interest. Atugen is to perform quantitative RNA analysis and technology transfer to enable Astra to utilize the best GeneBlocs, proprietary delivery vehicles and protocols for phenotypic analysis. Astra also has the option to receive validated GeneBlocs against their targets for in vivo validation.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of an announcement of Atugen's collaboration with Roche Biosciences to perform target validation services. This marks the second agreement completed since Atugen was incorporated after becoming an independent spin-off of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI) (NASDAQ:RZYM). Prior to the spin-off, RPI had five corporate partners for its target validation and discovery programs including Shering AG (and its US Berlex subsidiary), Chiron Corp., Parke Davis (Warner Lambert), Glaxo Wellcome and Roche Biosciences (formerly partnered for target discovery only). Atugen USA has assumed responsibility for providing research services for these collaborations.
Atugen Biotechnology, GmbH is an integrated genomics company, with headquarters in Berlin. Atugen's mission is to provide its pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with cost-effective, high throughput target analysis, plus in vitro and in vivo target discovery and validation to accelerate the drug development process.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. The information is based on management's current expectations but actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including those mentioned in this release, risks and uncertainties, including market conditions, competitive pricing, the successful outcome of clinical trials, the timely receipt of regulatory approvals and those outlined in RPI filings with the SEC.
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CONTACT:
Atugen Biotechnology GmbH
Dr. Klaus Giese, 011-49-30-9489-2700
or
Atugen USA
Dr. James Thompson, 303/546-8149
or
Freeman/McCue Public Relations
Daniel McCue, 714/557-3663 |
