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Strategies & Market Trends : Cents and Sensibility - Kimberly and Friends' Consortium -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: westpacific who wrote (62529)	1/13/2000 5:53:00 PM
From: Mr. Big	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108040

ISIP news tonite -->> Company Press Release SOURCE: Isis Pharmaceuticals Isis and AstraZeneca Initiate Antisense Target Validation Program CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire./ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ISIP - news) announced today that it has signed an antisense target validation agreement with AstraZeneca PLC to assess and prioritize genes identified within AstraZeneca's genomics programs. This program will use Isis' proprietary Antisense Target Validation technology to assist AstraZeneca in determining the function and therapeutic value of novel gene targets. Antisense technology provides an effective method of achieving specific inhibition of gene expression to validate potential drug targets or study gene function. In the program, Isis will create antisense inhibitors to genes provided by AstraZeneca. Using the information gathered about the gene function, AstraZeneca will be able to better prioritize these candidates for pharmaceutical development. Financial details surrounding this research collaboration were not disclosed. This is Isis' third target validation collaboration. ''We are pleased that AstraZeneca is one of an expanding number of companies that recognize the value of antisense as a drug discovery tool,'' said Stanley T. Crooke, Chairman and CEO Isis Pharmaceuticals, ''We anticipate that as pharmaceutical companies accumulate a growing number of gene targets from their work in genomics they will look to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of our antisense program to help alleviate this bottleneck in drug development.'' This press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the research collaboration between Isis and AstraZeneca PLC. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of drug discovery. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in this release. As a result, the reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning corporate collaborations are described in additional detail in Isis' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the company. Isis Pharmaceuticals, based in northern San Diego County, is engaged in the discovery and development of novel human therapeutic drugs. The company's first product, Vitravene(TM) (fomivirsen), to treat CMV-induced retinitis in AIDS patients, is being sold in the United States, Europe, Brazil and Switzerland. In addition, Isis has four compounds in human clinical trials: a Phase II study of ISIS 2302 for the prevention of renal transplant rejection is near completion, Phase II studies of ISIS 2302 with an enema formulation for ulcerative colitis and a topical formulation for psoriasis, are just beginning and an aerosol administration of ISIS 2302 for asthma is being explored. In addition, Isis has three anticancer compounds: ISIS 3521, ISIS 5132 and ISIS 2503, in Phase II studies. The company also has several additional compounds in preclinical development. Isis' medicinal chemistry and biology research programs support efforts in both antisense and small molecule drug discovery. Vitravene(TM) is a trademark of Novartis AG.