Monday October 4, 8:02 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: CuraGen Corporation
CuraGen and Glaxo Wellcome Collaborate in
Alzheimer's Disease Research
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN - news), an integrated
genomics-based drug discovery and development company, in collaboration with Glaxo Wellcome (NYSE: GLX - news),
announced today completion of a research program investigating biological pathways that may be associated with Alzheimer's
disease. Research into metabolic pathways may help to advance the understanding of this complex disorder, and assist in the
search for drug targets and novel markers from which to develop new therapeutics and diagnostic tests for combating this
debilitating illness. The completion of the research triggers an undisclosed payment to CuraGen.
''CuraGen's ability to precisely evaluate differential gene expression in specific tissues has provided Glaxo Wellcome with
greater insight into Alzheimer's disease,'' stated Allen D. Roses, M.D., Vice President and Worldwide Director of Genetics for
Glaxo Wellcome.
''This research further validates CuraGen's functional genomics technologies,'' said Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D. Founder,
Chairman, and CEO of CuraGen Corporation. ''This is an important example of CuraGen's ability to enhance our
collaborators' efforts in understanding complex diseases, and in identifying targets for which to develop more efficacious drugs.''
GeneCalling(TM), CuraGen's patented technology for precisely identifying and analyzing the differences in gene expression was
used to identify patterns of gene expressions in transgenic mice containing the human ApoE gene. Allelic variants of ApoE have
been previously associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective neuronal damage resulting in loss of
memory and other cognitive abilities. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that approximately four million people suffer from this
age-related brain disorder, costing the nation more than $100 billion annually. Over 360,000 people are diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease each year, rendering this disease a significant and costly health problem. Currently, there are no drugs or
treatment regimens to cure Alzheimer's disease; existing drugs provide some symptomatic relief in select patients, but do not
alter disease progression.
About CuraGen Corporation
CuraGen Corporation is revolutionizing the discovery and development of pharmaceutical and life science products through the
systematic application of genomics. CuraGen's fully integrated, Internet-based genomics technologies, services, and information
systems are designed to rapidly generate comprehensive information about human genetic variations, gene expression,
biological pathways, and potential products that affect these pathways. CuraGen's research collaborators include Biogen
(BGEN), COR Therapeutics (CORR), Genentech (DNA), Glaxo Wellcome (GLX), Hoffmann-La Roche, and Pioneer
Hi-Bred International (PHB). The Company employs over 300 people and is headquartered in New Haven, CT, with
additional facilities in Branford, CT and Alachua, FL. Additional Company information is available at www.curagen.com.
About Glaxo Wellcome
Glaxo Wellcome Inc., based in Research Triangle Park, NC, is one of the nation's leading research-based pharmaceutical
firms. A subsidiary of London- based Glaxo Wellcome plc, the company is committed to fighting disease by bringing innovative
medicines and services to patients and to the healthcare providers who serve them.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Such statements are
based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that there
can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's early stage
of development, technological uncertainty and product development risks, uncertainty of additional funding, reliance on research
collaborations, competition, the Company's ability to protect its patents and proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to
commercialization rights.
SOURCE: CuraGen Corporation |
