2/13/2001 HGSI
February 13, 2001, Tuesday
Double Helix With a Twist; Do Fewer Genes Translate Into Fewer Dollars?
By ANDREW POLLACK
Source: The New York Times
Section: Business/Financial Desk
2019 words
Abstract
Celera Genomics' discovery that there are only 26,000 to 40,000 genes in human body as opposed to studies by rivals that show 60,000 to 120,000 could mean that developing drugs based on gene studies will be quicker than anticipated, but also present smaller business opportunity; if human body might have only third more genes that roundworm, which has 19,000, that indicates that genes alone cannot explain human body; companies and investors will gravitate toward proteomics, study of proteins; lower gene count will be used by Celera to challenge credibility of competitors like Incyte Genomics and Human Genome Sciences; that could help Celera sell its main product, database of gene information that it provides to drug companies for millions of dollar per year; graphs; photos (M)
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Lead Paragraph
Incyte Genomics advertises access to 120,000 human genes, including 60,000 not available from any other source. Human Genome Sciences says it has identified 100,000 human genes, and DoubleTwist 65,000 to 105,000. Affymetrix sells DNA analysis chips c... |
