SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TRGA), focused on commercializing technologies and products for
accelerating drug discovery and development, today announced that Aventis
Pharma AG has taken an initial license to its iDEA(TM) predictive model for
drug absorption. Under the terms of the license, Aventis plans to utilize
Trega's absorption module in its drug discovery activities and provide Trega
with information pertaining to performance and ease of use of the model.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Our work with Aventis during the upcoming months will provide Trega with
valuable information to further enhance the performance of the absorption
module. We look forward to obtaining this input from Aventis as they advance
their key drug discovery programs," said Michael G. Grey, President and CEO.
Mr. Grey went on to say "we intend to continue to accelerate development of
our iDiscovery(TM) family of technologies toward commercialization. This
license, Trega's eighth, reflects those efforts and we look forward to the
rapid launch of our metabolism module by the end of 2000."
Trega's "software" models, called iDEA(TM), are designed to impact the
drug discovery and development process by providing scientists with reliable
tools to evaluate potential drug candidates in a fraction of the time it takes
currently, and therefore at a fraction of the cost. The iDEA(TM) predictive
model, an acronym for In Vitro Determination for the Estimation of ADME
(absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), was developed by Trega
with a consortium of prominent pharmaceutical companies. The absorption
module was constructed to simulate the physiological process of drug
absorption, and incorporates human physiological parameters. The module is
trained with a proprietary database of in vitro and human in vivo
pharmacokinetic data for selected drugs and drug candidates, including many
that failed in the development process. This training set of compounds is
unique in that it represents a very diverse set of drug properties. Trega
plans to introduce a metabolism module at the end of this year and
subsequently intends to develop additional modules that will enable the
complete prediction of bioavailability.
Trega Biosciences, Inc. is a premier provider of products that accelerate
and improve drug discovery through its iDiscovery(TM) technologies linking
biology and chemistry with information technologies. Trega's iDEA(TM) family
of information-based models simulate, in silico, how drug candidates will be
processed in the body, thereby enabling selection of those with optimal
characteristics for clinical development. Together with its iDEA(TM)
products, Trega's ChemFolio(R) libraries of information-enhanced small
molecules are designed to facilitate the identification and optimization of
drug candidates. For additional information on Trega, please visit our Web
site at http://www.trega.com.
Aventis (NYSE: AVE) is a world leader in life sciences. Focused on two
core business areas -- pharmaceuticals and agriculture -- Aventis is dedicated
to improving life through the discovery and development of innovative products
in the fields of prescription drugs, vaccines, therapeutic proteins, crop
production and protection, animal health and nutrition. With global corporate
headquarters in Strasbourg, France, Aventis employs around 95,000 people in
more than 120 countries and recorded pro forma sales in 1999 of 20.5 billion
euros. Aventis was launched in December 1999 through the merger of Hoechst AG
of Germany and Rhone-Poulenc SA of France. For more information:
http://www.aventis.com
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including whether further iDEA predictive models can
be successfully developed and commercialized, whether regulatory approvals can
be obtained for products discovered and developed, if any, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, whether any other corporate collaborations
or alliances will be agreed to, expanded or successful, and other risks
detailed from time to time in Trega's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. These forward-looking statements represent Trega's judgment as of
the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected. Trega disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Trega Biosciences, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.trega.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/374050.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 374050
CONTACT:
Gerard A. Wills, Chief Financial Officer,
858-410-6695, or Cynthia Reindal, Associate, Corporate
Communications & Investor Relations, 858-410-6601, both of Trega
Biosciences, Inc.
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