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Biotech / Medical : Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. SGMO -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: nigel bates who wrote (119)	11/19/2002 4:06:34 PM
From: tuck	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 368

Hmmm, wonder if the recent action is because this leaked: >>RICHMOND, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO - News) announced today that it has extended and expanded its ZFP therapeutic development programs with Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW - News) to develop and evaluate novel therapies for cardiovascular and vascular disease based on Sangamo's zinc finger DNA binding protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs). Under the terms of an amended agreement, Edwards has extended research and development funding on the companies' lead ZFP therapeutic program focused on the up-regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene. The agreement includes up to $3.5M in R&D funding and milestone payments including $1.95M for R&D activities performed in 2002 and $1M in 2003. Progress on the lead VEGF program was recently published in the December 2002 issue of Nature Medicine. Additionally, Sangamo and Edwards have agreed to jointly collaborate on using ZFP TFs for the regulation of phospholamban ("PLN") for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Sangamo has granted Edwards an exclusive option to acquire an exclusive license to Sangamo's ZFP TFs for the regulation of phosphlamban. PLN is a well-characterized and validated gene target that has a key role in the regulation of calcium flux in heart muscle and is believed to be directly involved in congestive heart failure. Sangamo will engineer ZFP TFs to down-regulate the expression of the PLN gene in the heart. The option and a right of first refusal terminate on June 30, 2004. In addition to the current agreements, Sangamo and Edwards reiterated their commitment to pursue discussions aimed at establishing a broader strategic relationship focused on the research, development and commercialization of ZFP Therapeutics for cardiovascular and vascular diseases. "Congestive heart failure is a major chronic condition in the United States today and is expected to become an even more significant problem as the population ages," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "Current therapies are aimed at alleviating the symptoms of the condition and many patients must take several medications. We believe that a gene-based approach using ZFP TFs designed to regulate phospholamban, a key component of calcium flux regulation in heart muscle, will directly improve heart function and provide an enduring therapeutic effect. We are very pleased to be extending and expanding our alliance with our partners at Edwards and excited to be working with them on this new and important target." "There continue to be many opportunities for the application of emerging sciences to fulfill unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular disease," said Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and chief executive officer of Edwards. "We believe Sangamo's ZFP TF technology provides a powerful approach to the development of novel gene-based therapeutics, and this investment underscores our enthusiasm for this science's potential to treat heart failure, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease." Background on Congestive Heat Failure and Phospholamban Congestive heart failure, a condition, in which the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently is compromised, is a progressive disorder in which damage to the heart causes weakening of the cardiovascular system. It is clinically manifested by fluid congestion and inadequate blood flow to the tissues. As the heart becomes less efficient the body attempts to compensate by increasing the blood volume; this, combined with poor heart function, leads to pooling of fluid in the lungs and body. Recent studies have shown that phospholamban has a pivotal role in the regulation of basal cardiac function and that the hearts of mice that do not express phospholamban have increased basal contractile function. According to figures released by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 3.0 million Americans suffer from heart failure with an estimated 400,000 new cases a year. Heart failure causes 39,000 deaths a year and is a contributing factor in another 225,000 deaths.<< snip Cheers, Tuck