Tuesday June 6, 4:05 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
Sangamo BioSciences and the R.W. Johnson
Pharmaceutical Research Institute Establish
Collaborative Research Program
Partnership to Explore Application of Novel Technology to Small Molecule Screening
POINT RICHMOND, Calif., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO - news) and The R. W.
Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute (PRI), a member of the Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - news) family of
companies, today announced that they have established a collaborative research program in which they will jointly develop a
small molecule screening platform for the identification of novel therapeutics. Once developed, the platform will be made
available to others in the industry through Sangamo.
``The use of our proprietary zinc finger DNA binding proteins (ZFPs) to develop a small molecule screening platform is yet
another application of our robust technology,'' said Edward Lanphier, president and chief executive officer of Sangamo. ``This
collaboration with PRI, our first cross-licensing transaction, combines our transcription factor expertise with PRI's assay
development and compound screening capabilities. It will create an entirely new way to identify high-potential drug candidates.''
As more human genes are identified, the need to rapidly and efficiently assess their role in various diseases has increased.
Sangamo's ZFP transcription factors are designed to help determine gene function by regulating the expression of specific
genes. By turning individual genes ``on'' or ``off'', research scientists can better understand the function of a single gene and use
this knowledge to create new drugs.
In small molecule screening using ZFPs, a highly sensitive cell-based model of a particular disease is established. These models
mimic disease processes at the cellular level and highlight the activities of specific molecular targets. Such models allow
scientists to examine thousands of potential drug compounds and to determine their impact on disease pathways.
About Sangamo
Sangamo is focused on the research and development of novel transcription factors for the regulation of genes. Sangamo's
Universal Gene Recognition(TM) technology enables the engineering of transcription factors known as zinc finger DNA binding
proteins, or ZFPs. By engineering ZFPs so that they can recognize a specific gene, Sangamo has created ZFP transcription
factors that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell function. The company intends to establish Universal Gene
Recognition as a widely used technology for commercial applications in pharmaceutical discovery, human therapeutics, clinical
diagnostics, agriculture and industrial biotechnology.
Sangamo's ZFP transcription factors are currently being used in drug discovery applications in a number of different therapeutic
areas. Leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies utilizing ZFPs include: AstraZeneca, Bayer Corporation,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, Genset SA, Glaxo Wellcome, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Immunex, PRI, Japan
Tobacco, Merck KGaA, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals,
Schering AG, SmithKline Beecham, Warner-Lambert, and Zaiya. In addition, Sangamo has a strategic alliance with Edwards
LifeSciences Corporation to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
About The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute
The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, conducts
pharmaceutical research and development.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbors created by those sections. Those
forward-looking statements include statements related to the ability of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. to continue to meet
marketing, technology, and customer demands as it relates to its products within the gene regulation market. Actual results may
differ materially due to a number of factors, including numerous technological, operational and financial challenges associated
with the regulation of genes. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties concerning
Sangamo's products and services described in Sangamo's filing on Form S-1 with the SEC. In particular, see the risk factors
described in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-1. Sangamo assumes no obligation to update the
forward-looking information contained in this press release.
SOURCE: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. |
