PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan selected enGene, Inc. as the recipient of the 2005 Excellence in Research of the Year Award in the field of protein therapeutics for diabetes for its novel approach to therapeutic product development and for its overall exemplary research in the field.
Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to a company that has carried out new 'disruptive' research; and has, in general, a strong commitment to research and development. This Award recognizes a company's research and development program that has or is expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture.
"enGene is developing an innovative platform technology, the Gut Endocrine-cell Modification System (GEMS(TM)) to induce existing cells in the intestinal tract to produce a wide range of therapeutic protein drugs that can treat several diseases including diabetes, obesity, hemophilia, inflammatory bowel disease, and anemia," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Preethi Vaidyanathan. "GEMS(TM) takes advantage of the natural capability of certain endocrine cells in the intestine to produce therapeutic quantities of proteins."
The GEMS(TM) platform has a high degree of flexibility in its ability to produce and release therapeutic proteins: the proteins can be distributed either locally in the intestinal tract or systemically through the bloodstream; and the proteins can be released in either a constant or intermittent, meal-dependent fashion.
This technology has the potential to eliminate external insulin dependency for diabetics by re-enabling the human body to produce and release insulin at the right time and in proper quantities to regulate blood glucose levels.
"In addition to diabetes, the GEMS(TM) platform can be used to provide meal-induced delivery of various appetite suppressive proteins, such as PYY and GLP-1, for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome," notes Vaidyanathan.
GEMS(TM) could also provide consistent systemic delivery of proteins that do not require meal-dependent release. In this area, GEMS(TM) for delivery of clotting factors and regulatory cytokines for the treatment of hemophilia and inflammatory bowel disease, respectively, are slated for development.
In conclusion, the Frost & Sullivan Award for Excellence in Research of the Year recognizes enGene's significant efforts toward the development of novel therapies for diabetes as well as the company's overall excellence in R&D, as exemplified by its ongoing development of the GEMS(TM) platform technology for other disease areas.
Held in Miami, Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards Banquet honors world-class companies for contributing innovative developments to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, as well as companies yielding emerging technologies in a variety of fields. An annual event, the banquet recognizes the quality and merit of distinguished individuals and companies that deliver unparalleled insight on the industry, products and services.
About enGene, Inc.
enGene, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company developing a proprietary technology that offers a unique therapeutic solution to treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as well as other diseases caused by protein insufficiency. Our initial product, GEMS(TM) for diabetes (GEMS(TM)-insulin), is in the pre-clinical phase. GEMS(TM) for obesity is in the discovery phase, as is GEMS(TM) for hemophilia. enGene holds broad and exclusive patent protection for its technologies. http://www.engeneinc.com
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com .
Contact: Stacie Jones 210.247.2450 Stacie.jones@frost.com
Frost & SullivanCONTACT: Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, +1-210-247-2450, orStacie.jones@frost.com
