Monsanto Initiates First Large-Scale, Genome-Wide Application of Incyte's DNA Microarrays for Functional Genomics
Monsanto Will Access Up to 50,000 DNA Microarrays
Monday May 18, 8:00 pm Eastern Time
PALO ALTO, Calif. and ST. LOUIS, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: INCY - news) and Monsanto Company (NYSE:
MTC - news) announced today that they have entered into an agreement whereby Incyte will provide Monsanto with broad access to Incyte's gene expression microarray technology. The three-year agreement provides Monsanto scientists with the ability to analyze up to 500 million gene expression data points using Incyte's GEM(TM) microarrays. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Under terms of the agreement, Incyte will provide data to Monsanto from custom and pre-fabricated DNA microarrays, software to manage and analyze the data, and consulting and software support. ''The ability to measure gene expression in a highly parallel fashion across plant, animal and human genomes will expedite the discovery of our life sciences products of tomorrow,'' said Ganesh Kishore, assistant chief scientist and chief biotechnologist of Monsanto.
''These tools will enable Monsanto scientists to better understand the potential role of genes in treating or preventing disease in humans, in enhancing crop quality and crop yield, and in promoting better human health through improved nutrition in foods. These capabilities are a critical piece of our overall effort in the area of functional genomics -- an important link between gene structure and product innovation.''
With access to data from up to 50,000 DNA microarrays, Monsanto scientists can routinely use this technology across their life sciences projects. This technology will provide an unprecedented understanding of how genes respond both individually and as networks. Monsanto will have the ability to select microarrays containing comprehensive gene sets from all of Incyte's genomic databases as well as genes available from Monsanto's own databases.
''This agreement with Monsanto will accelerate the achievement of our goal to provide every Incyte gene on a microarray and thus make whole-genome scanning a reality,'' said Roy A. Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer of Incyte. ''The large-scale production volume contemplated in this agreement will allow our partners to expand the application of DNA microarrays beyond discovery to pharmacology, toxicology, clinical trial analysis and agricultural programs.''
Incyte and Monsanto have a pre-existing agreement providing Monsanto with access to Incyte's broad platform of genomic databases, genomic data management software, and biological reagents including the LifeSeq human gene sequence and expression database, the LifeSeq FL database of full-length genes, the LifeSeq Atlas gene mapping database, the LifeSeq GeneAlbum cDNA clone reagent set, the PathoSeq microbial database, the ZooSeq animal gene sequence and expression database, and the LifeTools bioinformatics software data management system.
As a life sciences company, Monsanto is committed to finding solutions to the growing global needs for food and health by sharing common forms of science and technology among agriculture, nutrition and health. The company's 21,900 employees worldwide make and market high-value agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. For more information, visit Monsanto's web site at www.monsanto.com.
Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a leading provider of an integrated platform of genomic technologies designed to aid in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Incyte's platform includes database products, software for genomic data management and analysis, and related reagents and services, which Incyte provides to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to assist their discovery and development efforts. Incyte employs more than 650 people
at several locations, including its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, and its operations in Fremont, California; St. Louis, Missouri; and Cambridge, United Kingdom. For more information, visit Incyte's web site at www.incyte.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to the volume of data to be supplied,
the ability of Incyte to provide every Incyte gene on a microarray and potential application for microarray technologies, are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the ''safe harbor'' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward- looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially including, ability to meet volume production requirements, the utilization of microarray
technologies by Monsanto, and the impact of alternative technological advances and competition; and other risks detailed from time to time in Incyte's SEC
reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
hereof. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
