02/17/00 CRA - Celera Genomics - Biotech: Genomics
CRA longs have medical problem!!!
by: oldwestside 2/16/00 8:23 pm
Msg: 4585 of 4681
Money out the WAZOO !!
messages.yahoo.com
the Celera Human Genome story...read on
by: nasdaq_4999 (34/M/La Jolla) 2/17/00 9:19 am
Msg: 4618 of 4681
Read and understand the full potential of the Celera human genome story before you buy or short:
On September 9, 1999, utilizing their new "shotgun" technology of sequencing, PE Celera Genomics finishes the sequencing phase in deciphering the genome of Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly. Over 1.8 billion base pairs -- letters of genetic code -- were sequenced in completing the sequencing phase. Celera began to sequence the genome of Drosophila and deliver data to its subscribers in May 1999. By comparison, the first genome of a free living organism, Haemophilus influenzae, consisting of 2 million letters of genetic code took one year to complete, and other early genomes not using Celera's whole genome shotgun strategy took over a decade to complete.
"Celera now turns all its sequencing resources towards the sequencing phase of the human genome."
On November 22, 1999, PFIZER signs a five-year comprehensive genomics agreement including a subscription to all of Celera's current database products and a collaborative gene discovery agreement.
biz.yahoo.com
On December 8, 1999, David and Tom Gardner of the Motley Fool interview Dr. Craig Venter, chief scientist and president of CRA and inventor of the "shotgun" technology.
fool.com
On December 16, 1999, the Motley Fool rigorously outlines their basis for adding PE Celera Genomics to the Fool Portfolio.
fool.com
On January 27, 2000, PE Celera Genomics announces 2nd Quarter Operating Results. Read commentaries on their earnings.
streetadvisor.com
PE Celera Genomics makes the cover of the February 21, 2000 issue of Forbes Magazine [The Making of a Gene Machine]. Read about the founder and head researcher of Celera.
forbes.com
On Tuesday, February 22, 2000, the 2-for-1 split previously announced for Celera will take effect.
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messages.yahoo.com
Author: davefeatherstone Number: of 5132
Subject: Re: Why I invested in Celera Date: 2/12/00 1:10 PM Email this to a Friend
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Recommendations: 29
OK, folks. Time to take a step back in to reality here. I can see this thread quickly spiraling out of control into a frenzied series of posts by glazed-eyed people swooning over the prospects of living disease-free until they're 700 years old.
1) Celera is primarily an information services company. It plans on providing an annotated database full of genomic information. To make that database useful & fun, it will also do some contract sequencing. And there will be a few spin-off support-type products related to new analysis and/or sequencing techniques. Celera is not making drugs, it's not going to cure cancer, nothing magical is going to happen. The complete genome of several organisms have been sequenced and no one has found a secret message from God. There's pretty much just a whole lot of the stuff we biologists already knew was there.
2) Primarily, genomics is going to provide a whole bunch of new potential drug targets. As has been posted elsewhere (see, for example boards.fool.com and boards.fool.com, identification of new targets and compounds is not the bottleneck. If antisense technology starts working, or an efficient means of predicting protein structure from gene sequence arises (both of these are probably at least a few decades off), then perhaps this situation might change. But for now, The real value in genomics is not treatment, but in diagnostics. And early diagnosis (particularly extensive genetic counseling for carriers of genetic deisease or predispositions) will almost certainly help a lot of people.
But *Celera* is not going to cure anything.
Celera is only providing tools and information to help others work on cures, but like I said, nothing magical has happened with those others. Celera is moving boldly and forcefully into a market niche that's not otherwise been filled or even occupied commercially, but it's really no different than any other service or materials provider to academic or commercial biologists. In a purely business sense, Chemdex is doing almost the same thing, only they don't have the hoopla of genomics surrounding them (although they DO have the hoopla of the internet ;)
Pfizer or Novartis is not going to suddenly cure genetic diseases because they have the sequence of the gene gone wrong. In many cases, we've known the sequence for a while, and it doesn't necessarily help. (search for yourself and see at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
JDBarron, you are a smart guy and you are tossing out a lot of basically correct genetics, but I disagree with some of your misleading extrapolations and conclusions:
Knowledge of the human genome WILL help with cancer:
1) with early detection (by leading to accurate tests for dection in the very early and even in the PREcancerous stages (most cancers have to go thru several genetic changes before becoming malignant))
This requires sequencing of biopsy samples. As we all know, if we can detect the 'lump' early now, cell morphologists can classify it as malignant or not. Being able to sequence that lump will lead to more accurate, specific diagnoses, but if you catch it late, it's still late. And the options are limited then.
2) cures (we will be able to acuurately and selectively destroy only the cancerous cells or even to correct the genetic errors)
Chemo and radiation therapy are designed basically to target fast growing/dividing cells (which your gut and hair follicles are, which is the reason for the well-known side effects) -- characteristics shared by tumors. Knowing in detail the gene expression of the tumor might help. Or it might just confirm that all we can do is conventional chemo. Once again, there is a big jump between KNOWING more about the disease and knowing how to fix it. This gap is the problem, and genomics doesn't necessarily directly address that gap (and for sure it doesn't in the short term).
3) and with prevention We able to acuurately and selectively destroy only the precancerous cells or even to correct the genetic errors.
Yes, genomics will undoubtedly lead to better understanding of genetic predisposition. Keep in mind, though, that predispositions are only predispositions. Millions of people still decide to play dice and conceive (or give birth) to children even though they know there is substantial risk or even certainty of genetic disease. Hell, people still choose to smoke & drink during pregnancy even though we know that's not too cool either. So having a sheet with the odds of you developing a bunch of diseases doesn't preordain your life any more than knowing your dad died of a heart disease tends to make people avoid fatty foods.
Pardon my cynicism, but people are careless and stupid (me included -- I like to drink and eat hot dogs and Little Debbie Nutty Bars), and once they develop problems, knowing their genomic sequence isn't going to necessarily save them.
Celera is a business. I like it. I think it will do fabulously well. I have about half my portfolio in CRA. But it's not the second coming.
boards.fool.com
By: gigabetter
Reply To: None Thursday, 3 Feb 2000 at 12:18 PM EST
Post # of 606
CRA: Interesting Post
This post was found recently on the HGSI board and I think CRA holders might find it of interest. It seems like a well informed opinion and in light of any "joint venture" of CRA and GERN seems to back-up the opinion on CRA discussed.
CRA/HGSI comparisons
CRA is essentially a genomic database, that through the next phases of discovery of actual proteins, antibodies and other physiologically expressed components, in partnerships (several recently announced) with companies that have proprietary techs to discern these expressed proteins by specific genes, will then have proprietary rights on this "functional information" and then to sell this info to the BIG drug companies to develop and clinically test marketable drugs. Several drug companies have signed on already to the future end of this pipeline.
By contrast HGSI is involved in all aspects of the above - and as you can read on their website or in their IR announcements, their aim is to become an INTEGRATED drug company...from the foundational genomic data all the way out to the proprietary drug products.
That said however you should be aware (cutting thru the biotech hype) that HGSI has been around longer and has TARGETED specific gene sequences that they have discovered have broad physiological aps. HGSI has always said they have the strongest genomic patents in the industry as a result. HGSI is also closely tied to CRGN and ABGX in other aspects of moving USABLE or functional products from the genomic data forward NOW...not years from now (read about their 3 drugs in 7 trials NOW, new announcement this week and CEO said they will have 2 more by year end!). There are other companies also working from this TARGETED approach: GERN, BIOM, GENE, ONXX, SCIO etc. etc.
CRA has been getting press for the RAPIDITY of their genomic sequencing methods known as the "SHOTGUN" method whereby the various gene sequences are mapped SEPARATELY and then REASSEMBLED into their larger sequences using high speed computers. This method had been controversial in the industry since some claim it is prone to errors...however CRA publicizes that is is over 99% accurate.
The major issue however (IMHO) is that the really SERIOUS gene sequences for cancer, asthma, longevity, aging and others - and the effective research in finding gene based therapies have already been targeted by others (see above)...who have proprietary rights on this info (in some cases known as patents). CRA is blasting through the bulk of the genomic data in HOPE of finding OTHER gene sequences that will have major potential for other world-shaking applications in the future.
To my mind this will be a long shot. WHY? First, most genes are busy in the human body controlling mundane factors like hair color, toe nail size, ear shape, lip shape, eye color etc. etc. Second, remember that 99% of all ORGANISMS GENES ON EARTH are IDENTICAL. It is only a minute % that makes us HOMO SAPIENS!
My stock portfolio has preferred to invest in the companies with the "sharpshooters" and leave the "shotguns" to the amateurs who would have trouble "hitting the broad side of a barn" without it!!!
agent
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