and throw 'em a bone:
Monday October 4, 8:46 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
AstraZeneca Expands Access to Incyte Databases and Becomes the
First Subscriber to Incyte's LifeExpress RNA and Protein Expression
Database Program
WILMINGTON, Del. and PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1999--Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: INCY - news) and
AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN - news) announced today that AstraZeneca has expanded its access to Incyte's databases and will become the first
subscriber to Incyte's LifeExpress(tm) expression database program.
The expanded agreement between Incyte and AstraZeneca provides AstraZeneca with access to Incyte's LifeSeq® Gold assembled database,
ZooSeq(tm) animal model database and broad access to Incyte's bioinformatics tools and software.
Incyte's LifeExpress databases will contain the expression patterns of more than 100,000 genes that have been identified in Incyte's commercial
databases. The LifeExpress databases are the first large-scale databases of their kind to combine both RNA and protein expression information from the
same biological samples. Financial terms were not disclosed.
LifeSeq Gold provides a comprehensive view of the human genome. It integrates EST, full-length and genomic sequence information, as well as mapping
data. LifeSeq Gold contains over 100,000 genes including 50,000 novel genes not available anywhere else, and is comprised of more than 5 million
sequences from nearly 1,000 different tissue libraries, representing an estimated 90 percent of all human genes. The genomic information, cDNA clones
and bioinformatics tools contained in LifeSeq Gold will enable AstraZeneca researchers to manage the growing complexity of data related to the human
genome and apply it to drug discovery and development.
LifeExpress is a second-generation product which benefits from Incyte's market-leading gene sequence databases. Incyte will design the databases to
incorporate RNA expression information from multiple technologies, and will utilize its partnership with Oxford GlycoSciences to provide high-throughput
protein expression analysis. Incyte's comprehensive collection of genes obtained from the LifeSeq Gold database and the ZooSeq animal model database
will be used to obtain expression data for inclusion into the LifeExpress product suite. This integration of RNA and protein expression data will enable
AstraZeneca scientists to investigate the role individual genes play in disease.
The LifeExpress(tm) product suite will initially contain two databases. One will be used for target discovery to help identify the proteins and cellular
processes involved in diseases that are potential targets for drugs. The second will be used to help optimize the best candidate drugs during the research
and development phase.
''This agreement is a further demonstration of AstraZeneca's commitment to the use of genomic technologies and genetics in its drug discovery and
development activities,'' said Dr. Graham Boulnois, Head of Global Enabling Science and Technology at AstraZeneca. ''It builds upon the excellent
relationship established with Incyte through our earlier agreement, and now provides a comprehensive set of genomic databases and bioinformatic tools
available throughout AstraZeneca Global Discovery.''
''AstraZeneca is delighted to have an early opportunity to work with Incyte's new LifeExpress expression databases,'' added Dr Boulnois. ''This is a fast
moving area and AstraZeneca is committed to exploiting innovative technology in support of its programs.''
''Through our previous agreement, Zeneca were pioneering in their early contribution to the development of Incyte's gene sequence databases, and we
are pleased that AstraZeneca will assume a similar role in the development of Incyte's next generation expression databases,'' said Roy A. Whitfield,
Chief Executive Officer of Incyte. ''We are excited to be continuing our relationship with AstraZeneca by providing their researchers with the most
comprehensive set of human genomic information, including new expression databases which represent the next wave of genomic data to impact
pharmaceutical research.''
AstraZeneca PLC is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world based on sales and is a therapeutic leader in gastrointestinal, oncology,
anesthesia including pain management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products. Based in the United Kingdom,
AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN - news) is a major $15.8 billion international bioscience business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and
marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and agricultural products, and the supply of healthcare services. The U.S. operations of AstraZeneca
include AstraZeneca, a business unit of Zeneca Inc., AstraZeneca LP, Zeneca Ag Products and Salick Health Care. In the United States, AstraZeneca
is a $7.2 billion bioscience business with approximately 11,000 employees.
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 develops and markets genomic databases, genomic data management software, microarray-based gene expression services,
related reagents and services. These products and services assist pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers with all phases of drug discovery and
development including gene discovery, understanding disease pathways, identifying new disease targets and the discovery and correlation of gene
sequence variation to disease. 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
generated and included in the expression databases, and the ability of the expression databases to aid in target identification and lead optimization, 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 utilization of the databases in
pharmaceutical research and development; ability to meet production requirements; the impact of technological advances and competition; and other risks
detailed from time to time in Incyte's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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