To: wlheatmoon who wrote (192 ) 12/17/1999 5:49:00 PM From: John Pitera Read Replies (2) | Respond to
Mike, Thanks for posting CRA--Gene Therapy -- BioMed--- agreement with Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) that provides a five-year comprehensive genomics agreement including a subscription to all of Celera's current database products and a collaborative gene discovery agreement. novel drug target genes derived from Celera's sequencing of the human genome. This collaboration will focus on selecting drug targets from the thousands of novel genes discovered by Celera's high throughput gene discovery pipeline. Celera's whole genome shotgun strategy for sequencing the human genome provides information on the entire genome , allowing many rare genes to be discovered that have not been identified by other gene discovery approaches. Pfizer will be provided, on a non-exclusive basis, isolated full-length genes to incorporate into its discovery, development, and commercialization pipeline for small molecule therapeutic products. Under Celera's non-exclusive licensing model, these gene targets will also be available for licensing to other Celera database subscribers. Pfizer's database subscription gives them access to five databases developed by Celera until 2005. All of Celera's databases integrate Celera proprietary information with publicly available sources. The Celera Human Gene Index provides customers with the set of human genes derived from EST sequencing programs. Second, the Drosophila Genome Database provides the complete sequence of the Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence generated by Celera's whole genome shotgun sequencing strategy. The Drosophila genome database is extensively annotated with gene, protein and biological information. Third, Celera's Human Genome Database will provide the complete sequence of the human genome and the entire collection of human genes with links to associated biological and disease information. Fourth, the Celera SNP Database will be the single most comprehensive source of single nucleotide polymorphisms, the major form of DNA variation responsible for human traits, certain illnesses, and variable drug safety and efficacy. This database will include SNP data from the sequencing of several individuals. Fifth, the Mouse Genome Database being generated by Celera will allow comparative analysis with the human genome that will be especially significant for the identification of genes and gene regulatory regions of importance to pharmaceutical development. Access to the databases also provides Pfizer with associated comprehensive bioinformatics systems and tools for viewing, browsing, and analyzing genomic information. Pfizer, a world leader in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, as a customer," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer. "This agreement incorporates two important elements--broad access to a comprehensive information system including unique genomic information and a substantial specialized research program to be conducted with Pfizer." Celera's databases have over 3 billion base pairs of human genome sequence - the equivalent of about 75% draft coverage of the genome. pe-corp.com or by phoning (800) 762-6923.
