THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG - News) announced today it has discovered a new role in the immune system for a secreted protein that may serve as a target for the development of drugs to treat inflammation associated with arthritis and autoimmune disease.
Lexicon said it has moved the protein into its drug discovery program to create antibodies that typically allow for more rapid development toward clinical use.
Lexicon also announced that, as part of its ongoing drug discovery and development collaboration with Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX - News), Abgenix plans to develop antibodies to block Lexicon LG688 using Abgenix's XenoMouse® technology.
"Lexicon's LG688 is the latest in our pipeline of innovative drug targets that we've discovered with our proprietary industrialized genetics technology," said Dr. Arthur Sands, Lexicon Genetics president and chief executive officer.
Another Lexicon Genetics Milestone
"The discovery of Lexicon LG688 is another significant milestone in our invention of biotherapeutics that we intend to move through preclinical research into clinical trials and to market, either ourselves or with alliance partners," said Sands.
The secreted protein, named Lexicon LG688, was identified and validated in vivo in Lexicon's industrialized gene knockout program in which mice lacking specific genes are associated with important medical profiles. Lexicon LG688 is one of 14 targets the company has advanced into drug discovery programs, covering five therapeutic areas in which Lexicon is working to develop new pharmaceutical products. Lexicon's five therapeutic areas are cardiology, endocrinology-metabolism, immunology, neurology and oncology.
Lexicon scientists report a 50% decrease in the inflammatory response of knockout mice lacking Lexicon LG688. Aside from the marked decrease in the inflammatory response, they report the mice lacking Lexicon LG688 exhibit no significant side effects.
Lexicon is focused on knockout mouse physiology because of its direct relevance to human physiology and its medical relevance in the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical products for the treatment of human disease... |
