Lexicon Genetics Has Initiated More Than 40 Drug Discovery Programs From Its Genome5000(TM) Program
Tuesday January 13, 7:30 am ET
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG - News) announced today that its Genome5000 program for drug development has yielded more than 40 drug discovery programs. These drug discovery programs are in the fields of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and neurological disorders, cancer, immune system disorders and ophthalmic disease. Thirteen of the programs have been contributed to Lexicon's recently announced neuroscience drug development alliance with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Lexicon expects to establish additional collaborations for some of its other programs as a complement to its internal drug discovery efforts in 2004.
In its Genome5000 program, Lexicon is analyzing 5,000 genes using its proprietary gene knockout technologies and its extensive physiological and behavioral analyses to discover novel drug targets from the human genome. Based on this physiological and behavioral information, Lexicon selects targets for its drug discovery programs that, when knocked out, exhibit favorable therapeutic profiles for the development of drugs. To date, Lexicon has completed the analysis of more than 1,400 genes. Lexicon expects to fully analyze an additional 900 genes in 2004.
Lexicon's Genome5000 Program is focused on the discovery of the functions in mammalian physiology of protein families selected based on their desirable characteristics for pharmaceutical development, such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), nuclear hormone receptors, ion channels, transporters, kinases, proteases, key enzymes and secreted proteins.
"Our analysis of the in vivo function of more than 1,400 genes has given us excellent information on which human genes are the best targets for drug development," said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., Lexicon's president and chief executive officer. "We believe that each of our more than 40 drug discovery programs represents an important biological finding and a compelling pharmaceutical opportunity to address a major unmet medical need."
Lexicon's most advanced drug development programs include LG617 for Alzheimer's disease and cognition, LG653 for obesity and diabetes, LG314 for obesity and diabetes and LG152 for solid tumors.
About Lexicon Genetics
Lexicon Genetics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery of breakthrough treatments for human disease. Lexicon is using gene knockout technology to systematically discover in living mammals, or in vivo, the physiological functions and pharmaceutical utility of genes. The Company's gene function discoveries fuel therapeutic discovery programs in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and neurological disorders, cancer, immune system disorders and ophthalmic disease. 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 turn its discoveries into drugs. Additional information about the Company is available through Lexicon's corporate website, www.lexicon-genetics.com . |
