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To: StocksDATsoar who wrote (53880)	7/8/2000 1:21:58 PM
From: Jim Bishop	Respond to of 150070

ragingbull.altavista.com By: akaduke1 Reply To: None Thursday, 6 Jul 2000 at 9:08 PM EDT Post # of 132 Very Interesting... Sorry if this gas already been posted. newscoast.com Potential profits in DNA posted 07/01/00 By Rich Shopes STAFF WRITER Investors could reap big profits as drug companies mine human genome studies and race to produce a new family of drugs to combat ancient illnesses. Last week's announcement that the human genome -- the chemical blueprint to create a human being -- had been virtually deciphered could turn a spotlight toward the biotech industry's earnings potential and fuel startup companies. Though experts say years could pass before a new crop of disease-fighting treatments lands on shelves, a Southwest Florida company is aiming to re-examine the potential for existing drugs. Using genetic information, Sarasota-based DNAprint Genomics would help pharmaceutical companies and doctors identify whether current treatments are effective or cause deadly side effects, given an individual's specific genetic makeup. Thousands of Americans die yearly from prescribed medicines and millions suffer painful side effects. Flagging certain genes could enable scientists to discern whether one drug, or another, promotes healing. "There's a tremendous profit potential in looking at FDA-approved drugs because for some people (who fall into a certain genotype pattern) they can be harmful," chief scientific officer Tony Frudakis said from DNAprint Genomics' laboratory, 1748 Independence Blvd. "Wouldn't you want to know beforehand that you're going to have a poor reaction to Lamasil?" an anti-fungal drug that causes liver damage in a few users. "I would like to have that information before I would use it." Frudakis said last week's announcement has spurred interest in the biotech industry. "This could make a difference for us being able to enter the genomics arena or stay as a small biotech company," said Frudakis, who also operates a genetic testing service, GAFF Biologic Inc., also at Independence Boulevard, to pay the rent. "With financial backing, I can get expensive equipment in here and hire programmers and mathematicians. "Hopefully, this will help with the valuation of our company." GAFF Biologic produces genetic testing kits, which are sold to people who want their DNA on file. The company also does testing for universities. Biotech research has already garnered some investors' attention. The industry has more than doubled since 1993, expanding from $8 billion to more than $20 billion last year. A quarter of the nation's 1,300 biotech companies are publicly traded. "We expect that the announcement of this new mapping tool will add to greater growth and expansion," said Lisa Dry, a spokeswoman for a Washington, D.C.-based trade group, the Biotechnology Industry Organization. "Anytime you introduce a new tool or a new technology, the industry grows." For now, DNAprint Genomics is compiling a catalog of genetic samples and developing a system for identifying genetic patterns within a population. That DNAprint looks at existing drugs' reactiveness within the population sets it apart from other young biotechs that concentrate on pioneering new treatments. This places the company within a niche market and opens the door to waves of funding and steep profits once doctors and drug companies begin turning to such companies as DNAprint. Frudakis, 33, said he expects DNAprint to become a Fortune 500 company within 10 years. The company has already attracted interest. Two weeks ago, DNAprint Genomics signed an agreement with venture capital firm Tampa Bay Financial, guaranteeing the company $1 million in startup funding and possibly millions more depending on performance. "This industry as a whole is really a burgeoning industry and it's really in its initial stages," said Craig Hall, a corporate research analyst for Tampa Bay Financial. "We're really excited about this company." (Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)