Lexicon Genetics Discovers Target for the Development of Drugs to Treat Heart Disease
Lexicon and Abgenix to Develop Antibody to Block Atherosclerosis
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG - news) today announced that the Company has identified and validated in vivo a secreted protein from the human genome as a new target for the development of drugs to treat atherosclerosis, the progressive blockage of arteries that leads to most heart attacks. Lexicon scientists discovered that by knocking out this protein, named LG914, arteries remained clear when challenged in an atherosclerosis disease model in mice. Lexicon intends to develop drugs that inhibit LG914 as a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease with the goal of reducing the risk of heart attack.
Lexicon researchers studied arteries of knockout mice lacking LG914 using a sophisticated microsurgical technique designed to mimic the process of coronary artery disease that occurs in humans. In the Lexicon study, normal control mice experienced significant arterial thickening and even complete arterial blockage, while those mice lacking LG914 demonstrated the remarkable finding of clear arteries with minimal change. Notably, inhibiting LG914 was not associated with any observable, undesirable side effects.
``Blocking LG914 makes mice resistant to cellular events associated with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in humans. This striking finding demonstrates the power of our drug discovery programs to discover key switches that control physiology and disease,'' said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon. ``To date, we have announced two novel targets in our cardiology program, LG914 for atherosclerosis, and LG314 for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes and obesity. We are moving forward rapidly to develop novel therapeutics based on the discoveries of our new targets.''
As part of an ongoing drug discovery collaboration, Lexicon and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX - news) have agreed to develop antibodies generated by Abgenix's XenoMouse® technology to block LG914 as a new potential treatment for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Inhibitors of LG914 might also be used to block restenosis, the occlusion of vessels after coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. In addition, Lexicon and Abgenix have agreed to expand their antibody drug discovery alliance. As part of the expanded alliance, they intend to accelerate the use of in vivo information in mammals to select antigens for antibody development and commercialization with the goal of expediting the process of selecting new targets for antibody discovery and moving antibodies into the pre-clinical phase of both companies' drug discovery programs. Lexicon will also obtain access to Abgenix's XenoMouse® technology for use in certain of Lexicon's own drug discovery programs.
``Current cholesterol-lowering agents reduce cardiovascular mortality by about 35 percent, which means that at least 65 percent of patients could benefit from more effective therapies,'' said Hector BeltrandelRio, M.D., Ph.D., Lexicon's Director of Cardiology. ``We believe that the development of inhibitors of LG914 may provide new therapies for cardiovascular disease that could significantly reduce the risk of heart attack.''
Major factors contributing to atherosclerosis include elevated cholesterol levels, cell proliferation in the vascular wall, and a cycle of inflammation that triggers arterial thickening and blockage formation. Current drugs have been able to lower cholesterol, but not treat cellular proliferation associated with inflammation, which is one of the reasons heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
LG914 was uncovered through the Company's industrialized gene knockout program, in which mice lacking specific genes are associated with desirable medical profiles. The development of a drug to inhibit LG914 could provide new treatment options for people with heart disease and limit the need for patients to undergo invasive procedures such as angioplasty. More than 60 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, costing the U.S an estimated $299 billion in 2001, including health expenditures and lost productivity (American Heart Association and CDC).
Lexicon Genetics Incorporated is a drug discovery company of the post- genome era, using gene knockout technology to define the functions of genes for the discovery of pharmaceutical products. Lexicon is using its technology to fuel drug discovery programs in cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, neurological disease, diabetes and obesity. Lexicon has established drug discovery alliances and functional genomics collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutes and academic institutions throughout the world to commercialize its technology and further develop its discoveries. Additional information about the Company is available through Lexicon's corporate website, www.lexicon-genetics.com ... |
