Sigma-Aldrich Corporation Launches MISSION(R) siRNA Druggable Genome Libraries

ST. LOUIS, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sigma-Aldrich , a leading $1.8 billion Life Science and High Technology company, announced today the release of its first two MISSION siRNA Druggable Genome Libraries for Human and Rat (http://sigma.com/missionsirna) to address the needs of researchers to quickly and cost-effectively screen for gene function.

“MISSION siRNA Druggable Genome Libraries offer the most compelling siRNA collections available today by targeting genes of high therapeutic value as defined with input from major pharmaceutical companies,” said Dr. David Smoller, Vice President of R&D at Sigma-Aldrich. “The flexible format of MISSION siRNA libraries facilitate research for life scientists who are interested in specific classes of genes as well as those who need to generate information across the entire druggable genome.”

siRNA sequences comprising MISSION siRNA libraries have been optimized for performance in RNAi experiments using a best-in-class set of design rules developed by Rossetta Inpharmatics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck and Company, Inc., and a recognized leader in the field of bioinformatics. Specifically, design rules in the current Rosetta algorithm have been optimized with over three years of continuous development, leading to increased target specificity and improved knockdown of messages across the entire genome, as proven in use in drug discovery research.

“A good siRNA design reduces off-target effects and leads to down regulation of all types of genes, not just the historically easy-to-knock-down high expressors,” said Dr. Peter Linsley, Executive Director of Biology at Rosetta Inpharmatics. “Using an siRNA of proven design saves time and money, enabling life science researchers to focus on downstream discovery instead of up-front validation work.”

MISSION siRNA Druggable Genome Libraries have been sub-divided into 17 gene family panels using the most up-to-date gene information available, offering siRNA collections unique to the market with this level of gene-family classification. The druggable genome libraries are available for sale in their entirety, or may be purchased by individual gene-family panels.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has 7,300 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at sigma-aldrich.com.

Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Company’s expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding the Company’s operations and conditions in the markets the Company serves. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050215/CGSIGMAALLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comSigma-Aldrich

CONTACT: Sean Battles of Sigma-Aldrich, +1-314-286-7616,sean.battles@sial.com

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