SEQUENOM and CuraGen to Apply Genetics and Proteomics To Validate Novel Drug Targets
SAN DIEGO and NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEQUENOM(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM - news), a discovery genetics company, and CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN - news), a genomics-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that the companies have entered into a formal relationship for the purpose of rapidly determining the biological context of disease- associated genes through the application of population genetics and proteomics.
Specifically, SEQUENOM will identify high-impact genes associated with human diseases using its pioneering population genetics approach. CuraGen will apply its platform of proteomic technologies to further enhance candidate disease genes identified by SEQUENOM and to identify potential therapeutic intervention points by examining networks of protein interactions within important disease-related pathways. CuraGen will also enhance its own targets using SEQUENOM's single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) technologies and population genetics approach. The Companies expect that this collaborative research will further enable the identification and validation of key targets for drug discovery.
``We are very pleased with the opportunity to work with a company such as CuraGen that possesses complementary technologies,'' said Toni Schuh, Ph.D., SEQUENOM's President and Chief Executive Officer. ``This partnership represents a critical step toward creating the highest value for the candidate disease genes we are discovering. To date, SEQUENOM has identified and prioritized more than 120 candidate genes for diseases that have a broad population impact. CuraGen's expertise in mapping interactions of human proteins will enable us to rapidly validate our candidate disease genes and facilitate their progression toward clinical development.''
``SEQUENOM's genotyping technologies and human clinical information are valuable for genetically linking specific genes and genetic variations (SNPs) with disease. As associations are completed, it is essential to place these disease genes, SNPs, and proteins in biological context, in order to identify the most appropriate drug targets,'' stated Christopher K. McLeod, Executive Vice President of CuraGen Corporation. ``We anticipate that by combining CuraGen's proteomics technologies with SEQUENOM's clinical genetics approach, we will be able to better characterize genes and proteins within biochemical pathways important to drug development,'' added Mr. McLeod.... |
