RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paradigm
Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM), a biotechnology company, today announced that
the company has been issued two U.S. patents: No. 6,733,963, titled "Methods
for the Identification of Inhibitors of Isopropylmalate Dehydratase as
Antibiotics" and No. 6,740,498, titled "Methods for the Identification of
Inhibitors of Histidinol-Phosphatase as Antibiotics." These patents cover the
discovery of two novel gene targets in two distinct biochemical pathways by
which fungi produce L-leucine and L-histidine, respectively. Leucine and
histidine are nutrients necessary for the growth and development of fungi. The
patents also cover methods enabling the discovery of chemicals that inhibit
protein activity within these pathways. Chemical compounds discovered by
Paradigm's patented method may lead to the development of more effective, less
toxic fungicides with novel modes of action, which are highly sought after
throughout the agricultural industry.
"These two patents, the sixth and seventh in our growing fungicide patent
portfolio, demonstrate once more the power of our proprietary TAG-KO(R)
technology for identifying novel targets for fungicide discovery and
development," said Keith Davis, Ph.D., Vice President, Agricultural Research.
"These targets, which are not found in humans and are very different from
those in plants, may lend themselves to the discovery of fungicides with low
toxicity profiles, a characteristic of significant value to large agricultural
companies."
Davis continued, "In January, we relaunched our fungicide discovery
research activities and are developing assays based on the targets we
discovered to screen for promising chemistry. By doing so, we can move our
research further down the development chain, thereby making it more attractive
for potential licensing, partnership or other commercial opportunities."
Paradigm's TAG-KO(R) patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,562,624 and 6,703,200)
cover methods for the rapid and systematic mutation of pathogenic fungi,
enabling the efficient identification of novel anti-fungal and fungicide
targets as well as novel biosynthetic and degradation pathways. TAG-KO(R)
technology may lead to new fungicides, human anti-fungal products, and
industrial products.
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
CONTACT:
Melissa Matson, Director, Corporate
Communications of Paradigm Genetics, Inc., +1-919-425-3000; or
Brian Ritchie or Mark Vincent, both of EURO RSCG Life NRP,
+1-212-845-4200
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