Myriad Genetics Discovers Novel Hepatitis `C` Target; Drug Development Program Has Been Initiated
September 06, 2001 06:30:00 (ET)
SALT LAKE CITY, Sep 6, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN, Trade) has discovered a novel drug target for the treatment of human infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and has initiated high-throughput screening with its ProTrap(TM) drug screening technology, the Company announced today. The HCV target was discovered using Myriad's ProNet(R) proteomics technology to investigate the viral-human protein interactions that allow the virus to replicate after commandeering the human cellular machinery.
(Photo: newscom.com )
The drug target is a protein that, Myriad believes, has not been explored previously for drug development, and represents a totally new approach to the problem of treating viral diseases. The HCV target was discovered by following a similar therapeutic target discovery strategy that had been applied successfully by Myriad in the identification of drug targets in HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV).
"Myriad's drug development pipeline has had a strong oncology focus and is strengthened by an exciting viral disease program as we advance our HIV, HBV and HCV programs," said Dr. Adrian Hobden, President of Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We believe we will be a significant future force in the treatment and prevention of cancer and viral diseases, and will also play an important role in other common diseases, including inflammatory and central nervous system diseases."
The addition of this new HCV drug target raises Myriad's total to 141 active drug targets. These targets are derived from the analysis of over 1,000 novel proteins with Myriad's ProNet(R) pathway technology. High- throughput screening has been initiated on 56 drug targets. Drug targets in high-throughput screening are from the disease fields of cancer, heart disease, central nervous system diseases, diabetes, inflammatory disease and viral infection. Myriad has 36 drug candidates under study and 12 advanced drug development programs.
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that was previously referred to as non- A/non-B hepatitis. The NIH estimates that 4 million Americans are infected with HCV, and as many as 400 million worldwide. The virus enters the body through direct blood exposure and attacks and kills liver cells where it multiplies. This process causes inflammation in the liver and results in the death of liver cells. The incubation period varies from two weeks to six months. It is believed that as many as 85% of people initially infected with HCV become chronically infected. The disease will then progress over a period of years with some individuals sustaining liver damage that will lead to cirrhosis and/or liver cancer and may require liver transplants.
Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel healthcare products. The Company has established two wholly owned subsidiaries. Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops and intends to market therapeutic products, and Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. develops and markets proprietary predictive medicine and personalized medicine products. The Company has established strategic alliances with Bayer, Eli Lilly, Hitachi, Novartis, Oracle, Pharmacia, Roche, Schering AG, Schering- Plough and Syngenta.
The discussion in this news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including statements relating to the Company's future role in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Such statements are based on management's current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: intense competition related to the discovery and development of therapeutics; uncertainties as to whether the Company and its collaborators will be successful in developing, and obtaining regulatory approval for, and commercial acceptance of, therapeutics; uncertainties as to the Company's ability to develop therapeutic compounds, which is a new business area for the Company; and the risk that markets will not exist for therapeutic compounds that the Company develops or if such markets exist, that the Company will not be able to sell compounds, which it develops, at acceptable prices. All information in this press release is as of September 6, 2001, and Myriad undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here tbutton.prnewswire.com
SOURCE Myriad Genetics, Inc. CONTACT: William A. Hockett, Vice President of Corporate Communications of Myriad Genetics, Inc., +1-801-584-3600, bhockett@myriad.com /Photo: newscom.com AP Archive: photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840 URL: myriad.com prnewswire.com
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