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Cenix BioScience Delivers on Target Discovery Collaboration
as Bayer HealthCare AG Acquires Potential Novel Therapeutic Targets
Identified by RNAi Screening
Dresden, Germany, August 09, 2005 - Cenix BioScience GmbH (Dresden), the leading specialist in advanced RNA
interference (RNAi)-based research services, today announced that it has
delivered a collection of potential novel therapeutic targets to one of its
pharmaceutical partners, Bayer HealthCare AG (Leverkusen).
The targets were identified as part of a RNAi-based discovery collaboration
whereby cell-based assays originally developed by Bayer scientists to probe
therapeutically-relevant processes for several disease indications were adapted
and optimized by Cenix to be run as high throughput (HT) RNAi screens. Cenix
implemented the screens over more than 5,000 human genes, applying its
industry-leading expertise in combining HT-RNAi with high content
microscopy-based readouts, and using siRNA molecules designed by Cenix and
produced by Ambion, Inc. (Austin, TX, USA). The method of identification, based
on detailed analysis of RNAi-induced loss-of-function phenotypes in living human
cells, conveys upon these targets a significantly stronger patho-physiological
relevance than that typically seen for targets identified by less probative
“first-wave” genomics methodologies of recent years. As such, the higher level
of validation delivered by Cenix inherently offers superior predictive value
regarding the future therapeutic potential of drug candidates developed from
these targets.
“We are delighted that our expertise has proven useful in this particularly
gratifying collaboration, bringing such promising, but also quite challenging,
projects to fruition” said Dr Christophe Echeverri, CEO and CSO of Cenix
BioScience GmbH. “We are confident that the success of future drug development
efforts driven by these new ‘RNAi targets’ could lead to a fundamental paradigm
shift in the target discovery field.”
According to the collaboration announced in December 2003, Bayer acquired the
first option to secure all rights to new target-related intellectual property
generated by the project. As a result, Bayer’s decision to seek patent
protection on the present targets triggered unspecified milestone payments to
Cenix.
Cenix BioScience GmbH
Cenix BioScience GmbH is a pioneer and leader in high throughput (HT),
genome-driven applications of RNA interference (RNAi) for the discovery and
validation of new therapeutic drug targets. Founded in 1999 as the first
biotechnology company specializing exclusively in HT-RNAi, Cenix has accumulated
unparalleled depth and breadth of experience in this field, combining high
content phenotypic analyses with proprietary genome-wide RNAi libraries for use
in key experimental systems, including a wide range of human and rodent cells.
Cenix is now making its unique expertise accessible to industry and academic
researchers through highly customizable research services. Please contact Cenix
or visit the company’s web site
www.cenix-bioscience.com for more information.
Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading,
innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. In 2004,
the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some 8.5 billion
Euro.
The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health,
Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and
Pharmaceuticals. Bayer HealthCare employed 35,300 people worldwide in 2004.
Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that
will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being
and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.
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