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Biotech / Medical : Progenitor (PGEN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Czechsinthemail who wrote (18)	2/19/1998 10:48:00 AM
From: Czechsinthemail	Respond to of 106

Progenitor and Affymetrix Form GeneChip Research Collaboration for Asthma MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 26, 1998--Progenitor, Inc. (NASDAQ:PGEN - news, PGENW - news) today announced the formation of a research collaboration with Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX - news) to identify genetic variations (polymorphisms) associated with asthma. The collaboration will include development of custom Affymetrix GeneChip(R) DNA probe arrays to identify variations in asthma patients' DNA, and testing of those variations for correlations with asthma and inflammation. Genes associated with asthma may serve as targets for the development of new asthma pharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, Progenitor will contribute to the collaboration a designated number of asthma candidate genes identified in the course of its asthma genomics program. Progenitor is building a database of full-length, functionally characterized genes derived from asthma patient DNA and single cell cDNA libraries from bronchial and inflammatory cells. Affymetrix will use the candidate genes in the design and manufacture of custom chips to identify polymorphisms in DNA samples that Progenitor will contribute from its patient collections. Progenitor will prepare the DNA samples for analysis using a proprietary method developed by Progenitor and validated in an earlier collaboration between the two companies. Affymetrix will screen the prepared samples using the custom chips, and the two companies jointly will analyze the resulting data. Financial terms of the research collaboration were not disclosed. Polymorphisms identified through the collaboration will be added to a database being generated by Affymetrix. Progenitor may use the polymorphisms to perform association studies in asthma patients, to determine which of the polymorphisms have a role in asthma or inflammation, and thus may represent novel targets for pharmaceutical development. Progenitor will have an option to obtain exclusive rights to therapeutic and prophylactic applications, and Affymetrix will have an option to obtain exclusive rights to diagnostic applications of discoveries arising from the collaboration. ''Affymetrix has successfully demonstrated its chip technology in screening patients for polymorphisms. Progenitor's asthma gene discovery program combines the advantages of disease association studies and differential gene expression in cells involved in the disease process. Integration of these companies' unique genomics platforms should accelerate the identification of significant genetic differences between asthma patients and unaffected individuals, which ultimately may lead to improved asthma treatments,'' said David R. Cox, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Director of the Stanford Human Genome Center, Professor of Genetics at Stanford University, and an advisor to Progenitor. ''We have been impressed with Progenitor's progress in the field of asthma genetics and believe this collaboration will greatly accelerate their progress,'' said Rob Lipshutz, Ph.D., Vice President, Corporate Development at Affymetrix. ''The collaboration also will accelerate Affymetrix' initiative to build a polymorphism database and offer broad access to this information to researchers interested in identifying the correlation of these polymorphisms with diseases.'' Progenitor discovers and develops genomic leads and targets for new pharmaceuticals using a unique technology platform that combines developmental biology and disease genetics with bioinformatics to identify, characterize and utilize key genes responsible for health or disease. Progenitor's genomic discoveries provide multiple product opportunities which the company pursues through a combination of partnerships, licenses and retained rights for internal product development programs. Except for the descriptions of historical facts contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as detailed from time to time in Progenitor's SEC filings under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, including the early stage of development of Progenitor's technology; need for additional funds; patent, regulatory and competitive risks; dependence on third parties; product liability; and other risks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact: Progenitor Lawrence K. Cohen Ph.D., 650/614-7003 (COO) Mark N.K. Bagnall, 650/614-7057 (VP Finance and CFO)