Let's punch this thread a bit! Today CRGN expanded its 'Gene Calling' technology with a new patent. pax et bonum, mch
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CuraGen Awarded U.S. Patent Covering Open System of Gene Expression Technology
February 17, 1999 8:31 AM EST
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN), an integrated genomics-based discovery company, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has granted CuraGen a patent which covers the Company's open architecture system of gene expression technology. The patent, titled "Method and Apparatus for Identifying, Classifying, or Quantifying DNA Sequences in a Sample without Sequencing," issued as U.S. Patent No. 5,871,697 and covers CuraGen's GeneCalling(R) technology process. GeneCalling identifies both known and unknown differentially expressed genes, and can be used to detect genes in humans, animals, plants, and pathogens.
The two most accepted methods of analyzing gene expression are open systems and closed systems or "chip technologies." Closed systems compare gene expression to known gene sequences that are placed on a specific chip. CuraGen's patented GeneCalling technology, a type of open system, provides greater flexibility by analyzing the differences in gene expression and comparing the results to sequence databases, thereby identifying both known and novel genes.
"Identifying the differences in the amount of gene activity, or gene expression, plays an essential role in genomics-based drug discovery and development. This technology, second only to gene sequencing in its wide-spread use in genomics, is used to discover protein drugs, drug targets, and to understand why certain drugs fail and others do not," stated Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of CuraGen Corporation. "This patent covers the use of GeneCalling to directly identify, by database lookup, differentially expressed genes. To date, GeneCalling has been the most functional, reliable, and convenient choice for gene expression studies and this patent further emphasizes its proprietary position in the industry." Collaborators currently benefiting from CuraGen's patented GeneCalling process include Biogen, Genentech, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and Glaxo Wellcome.
"GeneCalling is the first in a series of processes, which includes both SeqCalling(TM) and PathCalling(TM), and is an integral step in identifying underlying disease-related genes. When these processes are combined, they comprise CuraGen's proprietary suite of integrated technologies," commented George A. Xixis, CuraGen's Intellectual Property Counsel. CuraGen's technology suite is controlled by GeneScape(R), the Company's proprietary bioinformatics system, which includes a web-based interface for convenient internet access.
CuraGen Corporation is revolutionizing the discovery and development of life science products through the systematic application of genomics. CuraGen's fully-integrated genomics technologies, processes, and information systems are designed to rapidly generate comprehensive information about gene expression, biological pathways, and potential products that affect these pathways, each on a scale not previously undertaken. CuraGen's research collaborators include Biogen, Genentech, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and Glaxo Wellcome. The Company employs over 300 people and is headquartered in New Haven, CT, with additional facilities in Branford, CT, and Alachua, FL. Additional Company information is available at www.curagen.com.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's plans to increase its pharmaceutical customer base, enhance its technologies, and intensify its internal product development programs. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's early stage of development, technological uncertainty and product development risks, uncertainty of additional funding, reliance on research collaborations, competition, the Company's ability to protect its patents and proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to commercialization rights. SOURCE CuraGen Corporation
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