BRANFORD, Conn., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 454 Life Sciences Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , and the Genome Sequencing Center (GSC) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis today announced a collaborative research plan to sequence disease-causing pathogens and to sequence RNA to analyze gene activity in tissue samples. Research will be performed on the 454 Life Sciences’ Genome Sequencer 20 Systems at the GSC.
Under the first part of the collaborative research plan, scientists at the GSC and 454 Life Sciences will utilize the Genome Sequencer 20 System to sequence and analyze the genomes of disease-causing pathogens. By understanding the genomic variations among similar pathogens it is hoped that clinicians may be able to better diagnose, treat, or prevent infections.
“Data on small genetic differences between isolates of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens can be key to understanding changes in virulence, infectivity, antibiotic resistance and other factors important to the control and treatment of disease,” said Elaine Mardis, co-director of the Genome Sequencing Center. “We will utilize these instrument systems to conduct collaborative research with 454 Life Sciences and in production alongside our existing technology to generate sequencing data for a variety of ongoing projects.”
In a second project, scientists at the GSC, 454 Life Sciences and Washington University School of Medicine will use the Genome Sequencer 20 to sequence RNA to assess the expression profiles of genes in mammalian cells and tissues. A cell typically uses a fraction of its genes to make proteins at any given time and this selective gene expression results in cells taking on specialized characteristics. 454 Life Sciences’ technology has superior sensitivity to enable in-depth studies of RNA and expression profiles, which may be useful for identifying novel drug targets and biomarkers for disease diagnosis.
“454 is pleased to have established this collaborative research plan, which will initially focus on the sequencing of disease-causing pathogens and analysis of gene activity in tissue samples, but could be expanded to incorporate additional research topics in the future,” stated Christopher K. McLeod, President and Chief Executive Officer of 454 Life Sciences. “The Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University is the first research center to have purchased a second Genome Sequencer 20 System, further validating the use of our technology to better understand the genetic makeup of various diseases and to potentially identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular treatment.”
About The Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University
The Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University Medical School focuses on the generation and analysis of DNA sequence, and played a leadership role in The Human Genome Project, constructing the clone map and contributing 25 percent of the finished sequence. Focused on genetic research with practical applications, the group’s more than 250 employees, including 15 PhD research scientists, have also completed analysis of non-human DNA, including the SARS virus, disease-causing bacteria and several animal species.
About 454 Life Sciences
454 Life Sciences, a 66% majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , is commercializing novel instrumentation and measurement services for rapidly and comprehensively conducting high-throughput nucleotide sequencing, with specific application to sequencing of whole genomes and ultra-deep sequencing of target genes. 454 Life Sciences’ Genome Sequencer 20 System enables one individual to prepare and sequence an entire genome after performing a single sample preparation, irrespective of the size of the genome being studied. The hallmark of 454 Life Sciences’ technology is the PicoTiterPlate(TM), which allows a single instrument using patented light emitting sequencing chemistries to produce over 20 million nucleotide bases per five-hour run, totaling more than 100 times the capacity of instruments using the current macro-scale technology.
The Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents are available exclusively from Roche Applied Sciences. For additional information on the Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents, please visit http://www.roche-applied- science.com/sis/sequencing/genome/. 454 Life Sciences offers sequencing services directly to customers on a fee for service basis at their state-of- the-art Measurement Services Center. For additional information on 454 Life Sciences, please visit http://www.454.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements concerning 454 Life Sciences’ and GSC’s plans to sequence disease-causing pathogens and to sequence RNA to analyze gene activity in tissue samples; the expectation that by understanding the genomic variations among similar pathogens, clinicians may be able to better diagnose, treat, or prevent infections; the ability of data on small genetic differences between isolates of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens to assist in the understanding of factors important to the control and treatment of disease; the ability of studies of RNA and expression profiles to identify novel drug targets and biomarkers for disease diagnosis; the possibility of expansion of research in the collaboration; and the ability of 454 Life Sciences’ technology to identify patients most likely to benefit from a particular treatment. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen caution investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the early stage of development of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; customer acceptance of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; 454 Life Sciences’ ability to scale-up production of its products and technologies; disputes between 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen; the success of competing products and technologies; technological uncertainty and product development risks; uncertainties of clinical trials, government regulation and healthcare reform; uncertainty of additional funding with respect to both CuraGen and 454 Life Sciences; 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s history of incurring losses and the uncertainty of achieving profitability; CuraGen’s stage of development as a biopharmaceutical company; patent infringement claims against 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s products, processes and technologies; the ability to protect 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s patents and proprietary rights; uncertainties relating to commercialization rights; product liability exposure; and competition. Please refer to CuraGen’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005 for a complete description of these risks. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
454 Life Sciences Peter Dacey Vice President, Finance info@454.com (877) 890-GNOM Noonan Russo Robert Stanislaro Account Supervisor robert.stanislaro@eurorscg.com (212) 845-4268
454 Life Sciences Corporation; CuraGen Corporation
CONTACT: Peter Dacey, Vice President, Finance of 454 Life Sciences,+1-877-890-GNOM, info@454.com; or Robert Stanislaro, Account Supervisor ofNoonan Russo, +1-212-845-4268, robert.stanislaro@eurorscg.com
