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Biotech / Medical : The thread of life -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mike McFarland who wrote (296)	3/23/2002 2:55:37 PM
From: scaram(o)uche	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1336

from TLRK 10-K...... (2001, 2002 due any day??)......... We have a robust program that currently is focused upon multiple pathways involved in obesity. One of the pathways we are evaluating involves a family of proteins known to play a major role in determining metabolic rate. Studies have shown that there is correlation between metabolic rate and the ability to turn food calories into heat instead of storing food calories in fat cells. The ability to dissipate food calories as heat in turn relies on this family of proteins. This family of proteins is an important class of potential targets for the treatment of obesity. Our scientists have established a panel of biochemical and cell-based assays directed towards the identification of small molecule compounds that selectively modulate the activity of this family of proteins. We have completed high throughput screening using these proprietary assays and are optimizing several lead compounds resulting from this screening. Another area of obesity research focuses on pathways involved in preventing the creation of fat cells. In cell culture experiments using a compound we have identified, our scientists have demonstrated that inhibiting a transcription factor known as PPAR(gamma) prevents the formation of fat cells. We have collaborated with Knoll AG ("Knoll") in obesity research since November 1998. We have collaborated with Japan Tobacco in obesity/diabetes research since September 1996.