ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 12, 1997--InSite Vision
Incorporated (NASDAQ:INSV) today announced receipt of a notice of
allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of patent claims
covering methods for the diagnosis of glaucoma using DNA sequences
often called the "TIGR gene." InSite Vision is the exclusive
worldwide licensee for diagnostic applications of this patent from
the University of California.
The invention covers a number of important avenues and
technologies that contribute to the construction of a kit for
diagnosis/prognosis of glaucoma. Such a kit will be of particular
interest to high-risk individuals such as people over the age of 40,
relatives of glaucoma patients and people who have high IOP but do
not have visual field loss.
Diagnosis of glaucoma is typically made by an ophthalmologist
based on elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field loss and
changes in the appearance of the optic nerve. Unfortunately,
irreversible vision loss occurs before this diagnosis can be made.
Knowledge of a person's underlying genetic predisposition to glaucoma
could lead to early treatment and better disease outcome. InSite's
license will facilitate development and production of a kit utilizing
the coding region and promoter region of the TIGR gene for detection
and diagnosis of glaucoma.
"We believe our proprietary position relative to the TIGR gene
will establish InSite Vision as the leader in the genetic testing of
primary open angle glaucoma," said InSite Vision chairman and chief
executive officer Kumar Chandrasekaran, Ph.D. "The patent allowance
will accelerate the formation of corporate partnerships to
commercialize this prognostic/diagnostic tool to preserve vision for
many individuals susceptible to developing the disease."
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the
United States, affecting 2 to 3 million people. The prevalence of
the disease in first-degree relatives of affected patients has been
documented to be as high as 7 to 10 times that of the general
population. Glaucoma also may occur as a complication of conditions
such as diabetes, or as a result of extended steroid use.
In January 1997, the journal Science published the first paper
that identified the TIGR gene as a glaucoma gene for adult as well
as juvenile diseases. TIGR has since been linked to many families
with histories of glaucoma in several studies. The gene product,
the TIGR protein, has been shown to be increased in a majority of
adult glaucoma patients. The increase of TIGR protein in the eye is
thought to block the fluid outflow in the eye, causing elevated IOP,
and resulting in glaucoma.
InSite Vision is an ophthalmic product development company with
programs based on three platforms: genetic research for diagnosis
and prognosis of glaucoma; the development of new and improved
ophthalmic drugs using the proprietary DuraSite(R) eyedrop-based
delivery system; and the non-surgical delivery of drugs to the back
of the eye.
This press release contains, among other things, certain
statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or
the future business performance of InSite Vision. Such statements
involve a number of risks and uncertainties including the results of
preclinical and clinical studies and determinations by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, as well as the Risk Factors listed from
time to time in the company's SEC filings including but not limited
to its Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
CONTACT: InSite Vision
Michael D. Baer, 510/865-8800
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICINE PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
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 |
