- Results Expected to Lay Foundation for Prototype Systems Toxicology Research
Database -
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paradigm
Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM), a biotechnology company, announced today that
the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has agreed to
expand its current research relationship with Paradigm Genetics to now include
a study of four to six additional known liver toxicants and the integrated
analysis of gene expression, metabolic profiles and quantitative tissue
feature data. Results from the broadened study will generate a preliminary
data set for a research version of the Chemical Effects in Biological Systems
(CEBS) Database at NIEHS' National Center for Toxicogenomics (NCT). CEBS will
be a publicly accessible toxicology reference database that will contain
information on the biological effects of chemicals and other agents and their
mechanisms of action. The new agreement builds on the current collaboration
between Paradigm Genetics and NIEHS on acetaminophen toxicity.
The additional gene expression analysis for this larger group of liver
toxicants will be performed by Paradigm Genetics under the Company's existing
contract with NIEHS and is expected to accelerate the timing of revenue
generation under this contract. The expansion of the research relationship
allows additional toxicants to be tested, as well as the generation of
metabolic profiles and quantitative tissue feature data, which can then be
analyzed in conjunction with gene expression data. Accordingly, under the
expanded agreement, Paradigm Genetics and NCT will be applying a systems
biology approach to the study of toxicity by evaluating liver samples provided
through studies funded by NCT.
"The NCT continues to work towards fulfilling its mission of coordinating
a nationwide research effort for the development of a toxicogenomics knowledge
base," said Raymond W. Tennant, Ph.D., Director, National Center for
Toxicogenomics. "Paradigm Genetics' ability to integrate gene expression with
metabolic changes in biological pathways, and the automated quantitation of
tissue injury will help us fulfill this mission."
"We are pleased that the NIEHS and NCT continue to look to us for the best
possible biological information on mechanisms of toxicity," said Heiri Gugger,
Ph.D., President and CEO of Paradigm Genetics. "This expanded research
relationship -- which involves the concurrent analysis of multiple types of
biological data -- underlines Paradigm's leadership role in systems biology as
applied to such relevant fields as toxicity and liver disease."
In 2002, Paradigm was awarded a five-year toxicogenomics contract of up to
$23.8 million by the NIEHS. The contract was focused on determining how
toxicants work and cause damage at the cellular level. In 2003, the NIEHS
exercised an option providing for additional funding of $8.4 million for
toxicogenomics studies. Portions of this newly broadened research effort will
be funded from the contract option that was exercised in 2003.
Paradigm Genetics is focused on the discovery and development of
diagnostics for liver injury and chronic liver disease. Its research
activities include a clinical collaboration with the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) to identify biomarkers associated with liver
damage secondary to dietary choline deficiency. The Company is also working
with UNC-CH to determine the mechanisms by which acetaminophen causes liver
toxicity in humans.
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 revenue expectations as well as
expectations for using its systems biology platform to discover safer, more
effective drugs and agrichemicals. 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 and in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2004, each 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:
Brian Ritchie or Mark Vincent,
+1-212-845-4200, both of EURO RSCG Life NRP
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