Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. Announces Expansion Of Research Collaboration Agreement With Pfizer Inc.
RICHMOND, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO - News) announced today that it has entered into a second agreement with Pfizer Inc that expands the scope of an existing research collaboration in the field of enhanced protein production. Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will fund further research at Sangamo and Sangamo will use its zinc finger DNA-binding protein (ZFP) technology to develop additional cell lines for enhanced protein production.
"Over the past year we have enjoyed a very productive collaboration with Pfizer, the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "We believe that the expansion of this agreement is evidence of our successful development and application of this technology to facilitate the generation of improved production cell lines with altered traits."
ZFPs are the dominant class of naturally occurring transcription factors in organisms from yeast to humans. Transcription factors, which are found in the nucleus of every cell, bind to DNA to regulate gene expression. Though there are many kinds of transcription factors, only zinc finger DNA-binding proteins are amenable to engineering and precise targeting to a particular gene or genes of interest. By engineering ZFPs that recognize a specific DNA sequence Sangamo scientists have created ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs(TM)) that can control gene expression and consequently, cell function. Sangamo is also developing sequence-specific ZFP nucleases (ZFNs(TM)) for targeted gene correction, gene disruption and gene insertion.
About Sangamo
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. is focused on the research and development of novel DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene regulation and modification. The most advanced ZFP Therapeutic(TM) development programs are currently in Phase I clinical trials for evaluation of safety in patients with diabetic neuropathy and peripheral artery disease. Other therapeutic development programs are focused on macular degeneration, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, neuropathic pain, and infectious and monogenic diseases. Sangamo's core competencies enable the engineering of a class of DNA-binding proteins known as zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs). By engineering ZFPs that recognize a specific DNA sequence Sangamo has created ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TF(TM)) that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell function. Sangamo is also developing sequence-specific ZFP Nucleases (ZFN(TM)) for therapeutic gene modification as a treatment for a variety of monogenic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, and for infectious diseases, such as HIV. Sangamo has established several Enabling Technology Agreements with companies to apply its ZFP Technology to enhance the production of protein pharmaceuticals. For more information about Sangamo, visit the company's web site at www.sangamo.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on Sangamo's current expectations. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, references to the research and development of novel ZFP TFs and applications of Sangamo's ZFP TF technology platform. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including technological challenges, Sangamo's ability to develop commercially viable products and technological developments by our competitors. See the company's SEC filings, and in particular, the risk factors described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most recent 10-Q. Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Source: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.