Well, looks like another news 'leak' by SQNA:
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 2, 1997--Sequana
Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNA) and Glaxo Wellcome Inc. (ISEL:
GLX) Tuesday announced an advance in their study to determine the
genetic inheritance of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM). As a result of this study, which involved genetic analyses
of more than 5,000 individuals from diabetic families, Sequana and
Glaxo Wellcome have identified distinct regions of DNA which they
believe contain genes associated with NIDDM. Sequana will receive a
milestone payment of an undisclosed amount from Glaxo Wellcome for
achieving this milestone.
NIDDM and its associated conditions affect more than 100 million
people worldwide. Sequana and Glaxo Wellcome are collaborating to
identify the genes which contribute to the pathology of NIDDM. Such
discoveries are expected to facilitate the development of new
diagnostic and therapeutic products.
Sequana and Glaxo Wellcome collected and analyzed DNA and clinical
records from hundreds of diabetic families from a variety of racial
and ethnic backgrounds, including groups with very high documented
rates of NIDDM and other characteristics that make them ideal for
genetic studies. Through the examination of genetic markers --
evenly spaced "road signs" along each human chromosome -- Sequana
and Glaxo Wellcome identified specific regions of DNA that are
inherited by diabetic family members. After reproducing these
results in several unrelated populations, the research team concluded
that these specific regions are likely to contain one or more genes
associated with diabetes.
"This is an important step toward finding the genes responsible
for diabetes," remarked Callum Bell, project leader for diabetes
research at Sequana. "Our research findings indicate new genetic
links to diabetes and stem from an unrivaled combination of
resources, including diverse patient populations, advanced genetic
analysis techniques and renowned clinical expertise. Combining
Sequana's high-technology gene discovery platform with Glaxo
Wellcome's expertise in the field of diabetes has permitted very
rapid progress."
"Through our collaboration, Glaxo Wellcome and Sequana continue to
learn about the genetic component of diabetes," said Dan Burns,
project leader of the Diabetes Genetics team for Glaxo Wellcome.
"Our next steps will be to identify the gene or combination of genes
that cause diabetes, and then to understand how the proteins these
genes encode contribute to the disease. This insight can help us
develop more effective therapies to treat diabetes."
NIDDM, the most common form of diabetes, is believed to be the
result of a combination of impaired release of insulin into the
bloodstream and resistance of the body to insulin. Complications of
NIDDM include heart disease, circulatory problems, kidney disease,
nerve damage and blindness.
Glaxo Wellcome Inc. (ISEL:GLX), based in Research Triangle Park,
NC, is the nation's leading research-based pharmaceutical firm. A
subsidiary of London-based Glaxo Wellcome plc, the company is
committed to fighting disease by bringing innovative medicines and
services to patients and to the healthcare providers who serve them.
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 the potential
discovery of disease genes and subsequent development of novel
diagnostic and therapeutic products are forward looking statements,
which 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 successful continuation of
the collaboration between Sequana and Glaxo Wellcome, 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 December 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.
Note: For more information on Sequana Therapeutics, please call
Bob Giargiari at 619-646-8313 or visit the company's Web site at
sequana.com
CONTACT: Sequana Therapeutics, Inc.
Bob Giargiari, 619/646-8313
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE BIOTECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICAL
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com
Copyright 1997, Business Wire |
