Leader in Accessing Natural Genetic Diversity Presents New Proprietary Method
For Generating Novel Products
SAN DIEGO, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversa Corporation (Nasdaq: DVSA)
today presented a next-generation evolution technology that improves the
efficiency and effectiveness of gene optimization methods. Jay M. Short,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, explained the benefits of
Diversa's tunable GeneReassembly(TM) technology during the BIO 2001 conference
in San Diego.
-- Unlike traditional, homology-based molecular evolution technologies,
GeneReassembly is not restricted by the relatedness of the starting
genes used to create new genetic variants.
-- The GeneReassembly approach is more effective than traditional gene
shuffling techniques for generating diversity.
-- GeneReassembly accelerates the rate at which genes and gene pathways
can be modified to generate products with desired properties.
-- GeneReassembly represents a novel method for structure-based protein
generation.
The GeneReassembly platform is an important addition to Diversa's existing
suite of complementary evolution technologies, including Diversa's patented
Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis(TM) (GSSM(TM)) (U.S. Patent No. 6,171,820)
and PCR-based synthesis shuffling (U.S. Patent No. 5,965,408), which can be
applied to optimize both proteins and production of small molecules. Improved
product candidates can be identified quickly and efficiently using Diversa's
patented and proprietary ultra high-throughput screening technologies,
including Diversa's recently announced GigaMatrix(TM) 100,000-well plate
screening system. Diversa is using these patented and proprietary
technologies to discover and improve products such as environmentally friendly
pesticides and herbicides, more efficient enzymes for synthesizing
pharmaceutical intermediates, novel antibiotics, and more effective protein
therapeutics.
In evolving specific genes or gene pathways of interest, Diversa's
GeneReassembly methodology significantly expands the genetic diversity
available to be screened, first by creating populations of DNA fragments of
varying lengths and then reassembling them via computer-designed DNA ligation
to generate new genetic variants. An important advantage of Diversa's
GeneReassembly technology is that, unlike the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
and other recombination-based methods, it does not require the use of starting
genes having DNA sequence identity, or genetic similarity.
Diversa's tunable GeneReassembly technology explores new genetic diversity
by generating multiple gene-sets that differ in crossover frequencies. This
computer-controlled system provides for higher degrees of product improvement
than may be achievable using traditional, homology-based molecular evolution
methods, permits simultaneous optimization of codons, and is enabling for
evolving many gene families, including those in which the genes have little or
no DNA sequence identity. Diversa's GeneReassembly technology represents the
first comprehensive structure-based evolution methodology.
About Diversa
Diversa Corporation is a global leader in developing and applying
proprietary technologies to discover and evolve novel genes and gene pathways
from diverse environmental sources. Diversa is utilizing its fully integrated
approach to develop novel enzymes and other biologically active compounds,
such as orally active drugs, produced by these genes and gene pathways.
Diversa's proprietary evolution technologies facilitate the optimization of
genes found in nature to enable product solutions for the pharmaceutical,
agricultural, chemical processing, and industrial markets. Within these broad
markets, Diversa is targeting key multi-billion dollar market segments where
it believes its technologies and products will create high value and
competitive advantages for strategic partners and customers. Diversa's
strategic partners are market leaders and include Aventis Animal Nutrition
S.A., Celanese Ltd., Celera Genomics, Finnfeeds International Ltd (a unit of
Danisco Cultor), The Dow Chemical Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc, IntraBiotics
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Invitrogen Corporation, and Syngenta Agribusiness
Biotechnology Research, Inc. The Company has also formed joint ventures with
The Dow Chemical Company (named Innovase LLC) and with Syngenta Seeds AG
(named Zymetrics). Additional information is available at Diversa's website:
http://www.diversa.com.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are
"forward-looking" and involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. These
include statements related to the improvement of gene optimization methods,
the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of, and the amount of genetic
diversity created by, GeneReassembly technology, the discovery and
identification of products, improvements to products, and the optimization of
products, all of which are prospective. Such statements are only
predictions, and the actual events or results may differ materially from those
projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or
contribute to differences include, but are not limited to, risks involved with
the Company's new and uncertain technologies, risks associated with the
Company's dependence on patents and proprietary rights, risks associated with
the Company's protection and enforcement of its patents and proprietary
rights, the Company's dependence on existing collaborations, the ability of
the Company to commercialize products using the Company's technologies, the
development or availability of competitive products or technologies, and the
future ability of the Company to enter into and/or maintain collaboration and
joint venture agreements. These factors and others are more fully described
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2000. These forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date hereof. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Note: Diversa, GeneReassembly, Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis, GSSM,
and GigaMatrix are U.S. trademarks of Diversa Corporation.
For further information, please contact Hillary Theakston of Diversa
Corporation, 858-526-5121; or Virginia Amann of Atkins & Associates,
858-860-0266, for Diversa.
SOURCE Diversa Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.diversa.com
CONTACT:
Hillary Theakston of Diversa Corporation,
858-526-5121; or Virginia Amann of Atkins & Associates,
858-860-0266, for Diversa
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