The first article was killed, and the story reissued:
KILL this story and the subsequent correction, BW0012
(CQN-SEQUANA) A substituted release will be moved shortly.
In BW0002, (SEQUANA-THERAPEUTICS) Boehringer Mannheim Group and
Sequana Therapeutics Edge Closer to Osteoporosis Genes, sixteenth
graph, first line should read clodronic acid (sted brand name
"Ostaca").
Revised Article:
MANNHEIM, PENZBERG, Germany and LA JOLLA, Calif.--
(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 14, 1997--The Boehringer Mannheim Group and
Sequana Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNA) Thursday announced that they
have reached an important milestone in their osteoporosis research
alliance.
Recent findings by the group shed new light on the genetic
mechanisms controlling osteoporosis and may pave the way for new
products to diagnose and treat this most common form of bone disease,
which afflicts more than 100 million people worldwide.
Sequana has assembled a highly specific collection of DNA samples
for the study of bone density, an important clinical component of
osteoporosis.
Using an extensive baboon pedigree, provided through an
exclusive academic collaboration with the Southwest Foundation for
Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio, Texas, Sequana has
completed a full genome scan in baboons, has identified discrete
genetic regions linked to bone metabolism, and has detected
corresponding regions within the human genome.
Sequana's and SFBR's collaborative study of the baboon genome not
only represents the first genetic use of baboons as a model organism
for skeletal pathology, but also marks the first comprehensive search
in primates -- human or non-human -- for genes that contribute to
osteoporosis.
The similarity between the baboon and human genomes enables
Sequana to focus its gene discovery efforts on a small region of
human DNA believed to contain genes responsible for controlling bone
density. Use of the baboon's very large family structure is an
essential component of Sequana's gene isolation strategy and should
significantly reduce the time and effort required to identify
genetically validated diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets.
Dr. Michael Jarsch, Project Manager of the Division
Therapeutica, Boehringer Mannheim, stated: "The real value of this
cooperation lies in the excellent expertise of Sequana in the field
of genomics combined with Boehringer Mannheim's strength in
biotechnology, pharmacology and clinics of bone diseases.
"Together we have achieved a leading position in the hunt for
genes involved in bone diseases, and we are setting the pace for the
product developments of the future."
Tim Harris, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and
development and chief technical officer at Sequana, added: "This
milestone achievement demonstrates clearly that genes controlling
common forms of bone disease can be isolated through the use of
genomics technology.
"We are applying the lessons learned from our earlier gene
discoveries to move ahead quickly to identify genes associated with
osteoporosis and gain significant new insights into the biological
mechanisms that maintain a healthy skeleton."
Boehringer Mannheim and Sequana are working to uncover the
molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis and other forms of bone disease.
The goal of the collaboration is to establish a new disease
management paradigm, including the development of new products to
diagnose, treat and monitor patients with bone disease.
Under terms of the agreement announced in May 1995, Boehringer
Mannheim will provide research funding and milestone payments to
Sequana, which may total up to $21 million, including equity
investments of $1.25 million per year for a period of five years.
In addition, Sequana will receive development milestone payments
of up to $28 million contingent upon the achievement of specific
events. Boehringer Mannheim will also pay to Sequana royalties on
the sale of therapeutic and diagnostic products. Boehringer Mannheim
has exclusive rights to develop and commercialize therapeutic and
diagnostic products based on genes discovered as a result of the
collaboration.
The Boehringer Mannheim Group, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a
high technology company in the healthcare market with net sales of
US $3.5 billion in 1996 and 18,500 employees worldwide. It holds a
leading position in research and development of new drugs,
diagnostics and biochemicals. Biotechnology holds a prominent
position within the company profile.
Boehringer Mannheim operates one of Europe's largest
biotechnology facilities in Penzberg, Bavaria. The core competencies
in therapeutics are diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases,
oncology, lipid and bone metabolism disorders.
Products for the osteocare comprise the bisphosphonates clodronic
acid and Ibandronate (INN) which will be complemented in the near
future by innovative biochemical markers for monitoring of bone
metabolism. The Boehringer Mannheim Group is part of Bermuda based
Corange Limited, which reported sales of US $ 4.23 billion in 1996.
Sequana Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNA) is a leading genomics
company that uses industrial-scale gene finding technologies and
functional genomics to develop products aimed at diagnosing and
treating common human diseases.
With ongoing gene discovery programs in asthma, diabetes,
obesity, osteoporosis, schizophrenia and manic depression, and
developing functional genomics programs in Alzheimer's disease and
other important disease areas, Sequana is well-positioned to find
disease-causing genes, determine their biological function, and
translate gene discoveries into novel diagnostic and therapeutic
products.
The statements in this news release relating to future
commercialization of Sequana's drug discovery technologies are
forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties, including Sequana's ability to utilize its
technologies to discover genes and to translate gene discoveries into
potential drug leads, the impact of competitive gene discoveries,
technologies and potential products, and other risks and
uncertainties set forth in the report on Form 10-K for the year
ending Dec. 31, 1996. Actual results and the timing of certain
events could differ materially from those indicated in the forward
looking statements as a result of these or other factors.
CONTACT: Boehringer Mannheim, GmbH
Dr. Michael Jarsch, 49/8856-60-2051
Michael_Jarsch@bmg.boehringer-mannheim.com
or
Sequana Therapeutics Inc., La Jolla
Bob Giargiari, 619/646-8313
bob@sequana.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
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