Monday October 13 6:05 AM EDT
Company Press Release
Hyseq Awarded Patent on Method Enabling Faster
Genome Exploration; Company Also Files For Patent
Protection on More Than 12,000 Gene Discoveries
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyseq, Inc. (Nasdaq:HYSQ), a genomics
industry leader, today announced that it has been awarded patent rights on a method for assembling
gene sequences. The company believes that this technology allows researchers to more quickly, and
cost-efficiently, explore the relationship of genes to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease,
infectious disease (e.g., AIDS) and central nervous system disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). The
patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,667,972) covers a method for resolving ambiguities in sequencing of
DNA by hybridization of oligonucleotide probes and expands the company's protection of its
proprietary sequencing by hybridization (SBH) technology, which includes three other issued U.S.
patents.
The company also announced that it has filed for patent protection on more than 12,000 additional
partial gene sequences that were discovered by its proprietary high throughput DNA screening
technology in one tissue alone. To put the scope of this discovery into context, Hyseq discovered
this large number of genes in a tissue that had been the subject of earlier research by other
organizations, which did not report finding these genes. Hyseq is exploring for potentially valuable
genes in many other tissues and seeks to determine their suitability for development into diagnostic
and pharmaceutical product candidates.
Accelerated Gene Exploration Becomes a Reality
In order to complete the analysis of the human genome, long sequences of genetic material must be
handled. Rapid SBH sequencing methods work with short sequences, and the longer the sequence
the more unknowns arise within it. Branching points on the sequence represent many of these
unknowns.
Hyseq's invention solves these problems by making it possible to piece together short fragments of
DNA to try to understand unknown areas on longer strands. This process uses probes as directional
devices that tell a robotic sequence ''reader'' in which direction to piece together the short DNA
fragments. A probe binds at each branching point and resolves the order in which the pieces fit along
the strand; the process is repeated until the entire unknown DNA is sequenced. The company
believes that this advanced method enables testing and resolution of each branching point, and also
makes it possible to use SBH on virtually any gene sequence.
''The newly patented method allows extension of the capabilities of SBH 10-fold, with minimal
additional cost,'' explained Radoje T. Drmanac, Ph.D., a senior vice president of research for the
company. ''We plan to use this method to speed progress toward completing the sequencing of the
entire human genome, a major goal in the genomics field.''
Lewis S. Gruber, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: ''The addition of over 12,000 gene
discoveries enables us to provide our strategic partners, such as Chiron Corporation, with potentially
proprietary targets for further development into diagnostic tools and therapeutic treatments to
combat the most threatening diseases of our time. Further, we believe the fact that these genes were
found in a tissue that had already been examined by others, demonstrates that our SBH technology
goes deeper to mine tissues and uncover more potentially valuable genes.''
Hyseq, Inc., based in Sunnyvale, California, applies the proprietary DNA array technology of its
integrated HyX(SM) genomics platform to produce gene- based therapeutic product candidates, the
only universal DNA sequencing chip, and diagnostic products and tests. Hyseq believes that its
proprietary HyGenomics(TM) database of partial gene sequences is the fastest growing and one of
the largest human gene databases in the world.
Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and
are hereby identified as ''forward-looking statements'' for purposes of the safe harbor provided by
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, as amended by Public Law 1O4-67. Forward-
looking statements may be identified by words including ''anticipate,'' ''believe,'' ''intends,''
''estimates,'' ''expect'' and similar expressions. The company cautions readers that forward-looking
statements, including without limitation, those relating to the company's future business prospects are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to factors, such as those relating to prosecuting,
maintaining and defending patent rights, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the
company's reports filed with the SEC. |
