Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Reports on Anti-Angiogenesis Target Discoveries
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated today presented results from the company's genetic screen to identify proteins involved in blood vessel formation and organization. These results were delivered in both a presentation and poster titled Large Scale Genetic Screen to Identify Genes Implicated in Vascular Biology in Mammals at IBC Life Sciences' meeting, Ocular Anti-angiogenesis: Translating Preclinical Indications to Successful Clinical Development.
"Our screening platform is unique in the field of ophthalmology and has proven extremely useful in the identification of promising potential drug targets for ocular diseases," stated Dennis S. Rice, Ph.D., Director of Ophthalmology at Lexicon Genetics, and lead author presenting the work. "Using our knock-out technology, we are able to study the results of blocking gene function in vivo, so that we may choose targets for ocular drug discovery and development with desired therapeutic profiles in mind."
The research highlighted in today's presentation demonstrates the power of these technologies in identifying new targets that produce anti-angiogenic effects similar to those caused by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This research is aimed at the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases, including cancer, in which angiogenesis plays a role.
With its unique ophthalmic-specific screening platform, Lexicon has examined the functions of over 4,000 genes using knockout mice from the Company's Genome5000(TM) program and has identified proteins involved in retinal degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye and ocular inflammation. The focus of the company's presentation at the conference is the discovery platform used to elucidate genes that affect vascular biology. Vascular diseases represent one of the most sight-threatening conditions in ophthalmology.
About Lexicon
Lexicon is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of breakthrough treatments for human disease. Lexicon currently has clinical programs underway for such areas of major unmet medical need as irritable bowel syndrome and cognitive disorders. The company has used its proprietary gene knockout technology to discover more than 100 promising drug targets and create an extensive pipeline of clinical and preclinical programs in the therapeutic areas of diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and neurological disorders, cancer, immune system disorders and ophthalmic disease. To advance the development and commercialization of its programs, Lexicon is working both independently and through collaborators including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genentech, Inc., N.V. Organon and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. For additional information about Lexicon and its programs, please visit http://www.lexicon-genetics.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including statements relating to Lexicon's growth and future operating results, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property, as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations and involve risks, uncertainties and other important factors, specifically including those relating to Lexicon's ability to successfully conduct preclinical and clinical development of its potential drug candidates, advance additional candidates into preclinical and clinical development, obtain necessary regulatory approvals, achieve its operational objectives, obtain patent protection for its discoveries and establish strategic alliances, as well as additional factors relating to manufacturing, intellectual property rights, and the therapeutic or commercial value of its drug candidates, that may cause Lexicon's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information identifying such important factors is contained under "Factors Affecting Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Lexicon's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lexicon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Lexicon Genetics IncorporatedCONTACT: Bobbie Faulkner, Manager, Investor Relations of Lexicon GeneticsIncorporated, +1-281-863-3503, or bfaulkner@lexgen.com
Web site: http://www.lexicon-genetics.com/