Jan. 30, 2001--Large Scale Biology Corporation (NASDAQ:LSBC - news), and Biosite Diagnostics Incorporated (NASDAQ:BSTE - news) today announced a technology alliance with plans to generate the antibody and protein target components required to produce the first generation of commercial protein chips.
Protein chips (also called antibody arrays) are research tools for measuring large numbers of proteins in biological samples and are expected to become the preferred technology for high-volume applications such as clinical research, diagnostics and toxicology.
Under the collaboration, LSBC, through its wholly owned proteomics subsidiary expects to provide 2,000-5,000 protein targets from its Human Protein Index(TM) (HPI(TM)) and other proteomics programs, as well as expressed proteins produced with its proprietary GENEWARE® technology. Biosite, through its Biosite Discovery business, will use its proprietary high-throughput Omniclonal(TM) phage display technology to generate high-affinity antibodies to the targets, enabling creation of antibody arrays in a variety of formats, including chips. The companies intend to pursue commercial research opportunities in the protein chip market by making a broad antibody and target package available to partners.
The collaboration leverages LSBC's large collection of candidate human disease marker proteins and targets that are derived from the HPI and related Molecular Anatomy and Pathology (MAP(TM)) human proteome databases by enabling high-throughput measurements of the markers in clinical trials and pharmaceutical research, as well as a new generation of clinical diagnostics. ``We expect this alliance with Biosite Discovery will allow us to move rapidly towards the creation of high-value protein chips based on the results of our ProGEx(TM) proteomics technology and HPI database,'' said Robert Erwin, CEO of LSBC. ``The resulting collection of very high quality antibodies is expected to span many of the commercially important human proteins, and enable a broad array of related products including therapeutics,'' noted Leigh Anderson, head of LSBC's proteomics subsidiary.
Biosite's Omniclonal antibody development technology will provide high-affinity antibodies suitable for use in very sensitive immunoassay formats. ``We believe this alliance, with a recognized pioneer in proteomics, will establish Biosite Discovery as a leader in high-throughput development of high-affinity antibodies,'' said Gunars Valkirs, Biosite's vice president of research and development. ``We expect to receive a significant volume of targets and are increasing capacity to be able to generate antibodies for up to 4,000 targets per year by the end of 2001. We look forward to initiating work and are optimistic about the opportunities this relationship could provide.''
LSBC and Biosite intend to pursue the protein chip market, with a sharing of rights and returns. Biosite will obtain certain diagnostic licenses to targets and LSBC will retain all other target rights, including uses in proteomics, database creation and therapeutics. Biosite will receive antibody development fees, as well as payments for certain products successfully developed through the joint research efforts. If diagnostic products are successfully developed and commercialized, LSBC will receive milestone payments and royalties.
As reported earlier this year, LSBC recently completed the first version of its proprietary human proteome database, the HPI v1.0, that inventories proteins occurring in all the major human tissues. With the completion of the HPI v1.0, LSBC has demonstrated a comprehensive process for analyzing the proteins encoded by human genes. LSBC intends to utilize project antibodies to develop future versions of the HPI and for proteomic and therapeutic research.
About Biosite
Since its inception in 1988, Biosite Diagnostics Incorporated has been dedicated to meeting important clinical needs in emergency medicine through its Triage® products, which speed the flow of critical diagnostic information. In 1999, Biosite launched Biosite Discovery, a business dedicated to the collaborative discovery of novel targets and corresponding antibodies primarily in the areas of cancer and cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Biosite Discovery utilizes a broad base of technologies designed to provide biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers with high throughput screening and development of high-affinity Omniclonal antibodies. Additional information on Biosite can be found at www.biosite.com.
About LSBC
LSBC is an industry leader in identifying and characterizing proteins in all types of biological samples for the discovery and development of new and more effective disease diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and agricultural products. LSBC has pioneered the development and application of many of the tools that are now considered state-of-the-art in genomics and proteomics. Corporate offices and the genomics and antigenics divisions are headquartered in Vacaville, California, and LSBC's proteomics subsidiary is located in Rockville and Germantown, Maryland. LSBC's bioprocessing and manufacturing facilities are located in Owensboro, Kentucky. For more information about LSBC, visit the Company's website at www.lsbc.com. |
