- siRNA technology is a new tool expected to provide validation of genes
suspected of involvement in toxicity -
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paradigm
Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM), a biotechnology company, announced today that
its current contract with the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health, has been expanded to include
additional work using small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) technology as
a part of the toxicogenomics research Paradigm Genetics is performing for the
NIEHS. Paradigm Genetics is in the process of subcontracting with the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), a non-profit biomedical
research institute, to build a siRNA "library" for use in better understanding
genes that appear to be involved in human response to environmental toxins.
The Company noted that the NIEHS contract modification, which is expected to
accelerate the timing of revenue generation under the contract option, is
another step toward successfully reaching its 2004 revenue target.
"This contract amendment reflects the close and productive relationship
between Paradigm Genetics and the NIEHS, as the National Center for
Toxicogenomics works to build the Chemical Effects in Biological Systems
(CEBS) database," said Thomas J. Colatsky, Ph.D., Vice President of Healthcare
Research at Paradigm Genetics. "siRNA is a new and extremely powerful tool
that can help characterize gene function. Using siRNA, genes suspected of
playing a role in producing tissue injury can be knocked-out, thereby
validating their involvement in toxic responses and gaining a richer
understanding of toxicity mechanisms. We look forward to working with
Dr. Jeff Trent, President of TGen, and Dr. Spyro Mousses, who heads up TGen's
scientific team, to build this comprehensive, centralized siRNA resource for
the NIEHS."
In 2000, the NIEHS initiated the National Center for Toxicogenomics (NCT),
which seeks to better understand human responses to environmental exposures
through the identification and characterization of the genes most critically
associated with chemical-induced toxicity using gene expression technology.
The NCT is currently conducting studies to determine the identity, expression
and function of these "Tox Genes" and to evaluate their value in environmental
safety assessment. siRNA provides a means of rapidly determining gene function
and determining whether specific genes are, in fact, responsible for
generating a toxic response.
Paradigm Genetics and the NIEHS began a toxicogenomics collaboration in
September 2002. The five-year, $23.8 million contract is focused on how
toxicants work and cause liver damage at the cellular level. The research may
result in better methods of risk assessment and compound optimization for both
the pharmaceutical and agrichemical industries. In April 2003, the NIEHS
exercised an option in the existing contract, providing an additional $8.4
million for toxicogenomics studies. Data generated from this toxicogenomics
research will be included in the NTP's program to better understand the
effects of short and long-term exposure to chemicals. The data will become
part of the Chemical Effects in Biological Systems (CEBS) database, a publicly
accessible relational database that will contain information on the biological
effects of short and long term exposures to chemicals.
About TGen
TGen's mission is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances
in human health. "Translational genomics research" is a relatively new field
employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project to apply
to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies in cancer,
neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases. For more
information, visit http://www.tgen.org .
About Paradigm Genetics
Paradigm Genetics is a biotechnology company applying its proprietary
systems biology platform to the discovery of safer, more effective drugs and
agrichemicals. Paradigm Genetics has major collaborations with the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bayer CropScience, the Monsanto
Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, the National Institute of Standards &
Technology's Advanced Technology Program, and L'Oreal Inc. For more
information, visit http://www.ParadigmGenetics.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding the Company's expectations for using its systems biology
platform to discover safer, more effective drugs and agrichemicals as well as
statements regarding the use and impact of data generated from the
toxicogenomics research. Such forward-looking statements are based on
management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks,
factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and
performance to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking
statements. These risks, factors and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, Paradigm's early stage of development, history of net losses,
technological and product development uncertainties, reliance on research
collaborations, uncertainty of additional funding and ability to protect its
patents and proprietary rights. Certain of these and other risks are
identified in Paradigm's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after
the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to
changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.
SOURCE Paradigm Genetics, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.paradigmgenetics.com
http://www.tgen.org
CONTACT:
Melissa Matson, Director, Corporate
Communications of Paradigm Genetics, Inc., +1-919-425-3000; or
Brian Ritchie or Mark Vincent of EURO RSCG Life NRP,
+1-212-845-4200
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