THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated announced today that it was awarded funding from the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the identification of targets that may be important in the development of drugs to enhance the restorative benefits derived from sleep and offset problems associated with sleep deprivation. Financial terms of the one-year award were not disclosed.
Under the award, Lexicon will be investigating the molecular and cellular basis of sleep, sleep pathways and the correlation between sleep architecture and performance, including under conditions of sleep deprivation. Lexicon will also study specific genes that alter normal sleep/wake cycles when knocked out in mice. The goal of this research program is to identify potential drug targets that, when modulated, may optimize restorative sleep and improve performance after periods of sleep or under conditions of sleep deprivation.
"Through use of our proprietary drug target discovery platform, we have identified two genes that appear to impact the mechanism of sleep," said Brian P. Zambrowicz, Ph.D., executive vice president of research at Lexicon. "Our work under this grant may have application to the military and the general population."
Sleep deprivation has been demonstrated to affect physiology and behavior. Even short-term restriction of sleep can have negative consequences, including increases in blood pressure, nervous system activation, impaired glucose homeostasis and elevated inflammation. Sleep loss has also been shown to adversely affect cognitive performance. Current military operations increasingly place demands for higher levels of performance without adequate provision for opportunities to rest and sleep. Identifying novel pharmaceutical approaches aimed at preventing the harmful effects of sleep deprivation may enhance the ability of military personnel to function more safely and effectively despite prolonged periods of wakefulness.
About Lexicon Genetics
Lexicon Genetics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for human disease. Lexicon is systematically discovering the physiological and behavioral functions of genes to identify potential points of therapeutic intervention, or drug targets. Lexicon makes these discoveries using its proprietary gene knockout technology to model the physiological effects that could be expected from prospective drugs addressing these targets. For targets that the company believes have high pharmaceutical value, it engages in programs for the discovery and development of small molecule, antibody and protein drugs. Lexicon has advanced knockout-validated targets into drug discovery programs in six therapeutic areas: diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and neurological disorders, cancer, immune system disorders and ophthalmic disease. Lexicon is working both independently and through collaborations and strategic alliances to accelerate the development and commercialization of its discoveries. Additional information about Lexicon is available through its corporate website, http://www.lexicon-genetics.com .
About DARPA
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the United States Department of Defense. It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for the Department of Defense, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release also contains forward-looking 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 clinical development and preclinical development of 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 "Business - Risk Factors" in Lexicon's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, 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/
