As fast as my Carlsbad baby Isip. I love genes and small caps.
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CARLSBAD, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ISIP) announced today that it has received issuance of U.S. patents on antisense inhibitors to 20 genes over the last two months. These gene inhibition patents are a result of Isis' highly productive rapid throughput screening program and computer assisted patenting system. These patents cover the use of antisense inhibitors against genes involved in several areas of disease including inflammatory responses, signal transduction processes, apoptosis, drug resistance and cancer, and other important areas of biology. Utilizing its proprietary technology, Isis has the ability to create and file patents on potent and selective antisense inhibitors to all 100,000 genes within the human genome. These antisense gene inhibitors have the potential to be drugs as well as a genomics tool within Isis' target validation program.
Isis' gene functionalization program helps solve a fundamental issue facing the pharmaceutical industry: how to determine which of the many novel gene targets available are most valuable to pursue for drug discovery. Isis' program uses antisense inhibitors together with other tools to understand the role each gene plays in a disease process. This information provides pharmaceutical companies with a fast and efficient way of prioritizing their proprietary genes and creating therapeutic value from their genomics efforts.
Targets covered in Isis' recently issued patents include gene inhibitors for inflammatory responses (LFA-3, TNFR-1, PLA-2), signal transduction processes (C-rel, SMAD, protein kinase-c), apoptosis (BCL-2 related proteins, IAP family members, Rip-1, Fadd), drug resistance and cancer (MDR, Jun-N- terminal Kinase Kinase-1).
In the last year alone, Isis has been issued more than 60 patents on antisense gene inhibitors. These patents, along with its earlier patents on gene inhibitors, make Isis one of the top ten holders of gene patents in the US. In addition, Isis holds more than 600 issued and allowed patents worldwide covering antisense inhibitors of genes, chemistries, and manufacturing as well as gene functionalization process.
Isis' target validation and gene functionalization program has the ability to identify antisense inhibitors to numerous genes per week and simultaneously produce patent applications on these gene inhibitors. To date, Isis has been successful in optimizing inhibitors to over 500 genes. The speed and efficiency of this program has attracted partnerships with companies such as Abbott, Aventis (formerly Rhone Poulenc-Rorer) and AstraZeneca.
"The issuance of this many patents related to such important genes in such a small period of time is evidence of the remarkable productivity and innovation of Isis' target validation program and its rapid identification process," said C. Frank Bennett, Vice President of Biology. "These patents provide further demonstration of the versatility and efficiency of antisense gene functionalization and target validation, a big step in converting genes into drugs."
"These patents contribute to Isis' large proprietary patent estate and show the increasing value of antisense in both the drug discovery effort and as a tool for genomics," said B. Lynne Parshall, Executive Vice President and CFO. "We will continue to aggressively patent in key areas including gene inhibition in order to further increase our dominant position in this novel technology."
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Isis' proprietary patent estate and its programs in target validation and gene functionalization. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. 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 the Isis' patent estate and drug development programs are described in additional detail in Isis' Annual Report on Form 10-K/A 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 five 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 with an enema formulation for ulcerative colitis and a topical formulation for psoriasis are just beginning, and an aerosol administration for asthma is being explored. In addition, Isis has three anticancer compounds: ISIS 3521, ISIS 5132 and ISIS 2503, in Phase II studies and ISIS 14803 for the treatment of Hepatitis C is in a Phase I/II trial. The company also has several additional compounds in preclinical development. Isis' broad and proprietary patent estate of over 600 issued and allowed patents worldwide and has been recognized as one of the top ten holdings of gene patents issued in the U.S. In addition, Isis has created two divisions focused on more broadly capitalizing on Isis' expertise in RNA. Ibis Therapeutics, is a division focused on the discovery of small molecules that bind to RNA. Isis also has developed a target validation program aimed at utilizing antisense to assist the pharmaceutical industry in validating and prioritizing potential gene targets.
Vitravene(TM) is a trademark of Novartis AG.
SOURCE Isis Pharmaceuticals |
