Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : AFFYMETRIX (AFFX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lnkennedy who wrote (806)	10/8/1998 2:32:00 AM
From: Richard Haugland	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1728

Xenometrix (XENO) technology: From their recent quarterly report, this is the technology they have: The Company's core technology relates to eukaryotic and bacterial gene profiling assays and genotoxicity assays. This technology is comprised of multiple patents and patent applications, some of which are owned directly by Xenometrix and others exclusively licensed from Harvard University, the University of California at Berkeley and other entities. The exclusive license agreements cover five U.S. and five foreign patents that have been issued and certain additional patent applications. The Company has obtained an exclusive worldwide license to one issued U.S. patent, two issued foreign patents and several patent applications that relate to methods and kits for generating gene profiles by exposing eukaryotic cells (including human, animal and yeast cells) to compounds and then determining levels of expression of multiple genes in the cells. The Company has obtained an exclusive worldwide license to two issued U.S. patents, two issued foreign patents and several patent applications that relate to methods and kits for generating gene profiles using bacterial promoters fused to reporter genes. The Company has also obtained a worldwide exclusive license to one issued U.S. patent, one issued foreign patent and several patent applications for a microbiological system for the detection and identification of mutagens. This technology is a modification and improvement over the widely accepted Ames assay. In addition, the Company has an exclusive worldwide license under one issued patent and an additional patent application covering a process for detecting potential carcinogens by monitoring deletions in the yeast genome. From the same report, Xenometrix is in dismal financial shape with accumulated debts, loans on which they are close to default and expiring employment contracts. Looking at what is possibly a similar Xenometrix license to Aurura, I expect this technology cost AFFX less than $1 million and is probably something they need to practice something. AFFX seems to have been diligent in lining up legal rights to technology.