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Genetically Engineered Rats As Models for Use in Drug Research

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 July 2005, 09:01 CDT

COLOGNE, BERLIN, WURZBURG, Germany, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH (Cologne, Germany) and RiNA GmbH (Berlin) announced today the start of a 2.8 Mio Euro research collaboration with the aim of developing efficient methodologies to knockdown human disease-related genes in the rat via RNA-interference ("RNAi").

The RiNA RNA-Network (Berlin) will support a cooperation between the laboratories of Prof. Michael Bader, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC, Berlin) and Prof. Holger Reichardt, Institute for Virology and Immunobiology of the University of Würzburg, Germany, and Artemis Pharmaceuticals. These groups will, over three years jointly develop and validate novel methods to enable the functional analysis of disease- related genes in transgenic rats and thereby increase their value as models for human biology. The research work at MDC and the University of Würzburg will be jointly financed by Artemis and the RiNA RNA-Network. As part of this program Artemis receives a 1.3 Mio EURO research grant from the German Government. The results from the project will be commercialised by Artemis on the basis of a license agreement with RiNA GmbH.

Technology for the functional analysis of genes related to human diseases via expression of shRNA in transgenic mice has been developed by Artemis. The corresponding scientific methods are already used in certain areas of drug research in major pharma companies around the world which are collaboration partners of Artemis. However, corresponding methods for the genetic modification of rats are not yet available. Genetically engineered rats would be of high scientific relevance as research tools for drug research as rat is particularly close to human biology. This joint project aims to develop methods for gene function analysis in rats, based upon the mouse- related technologies which are available and under development at Artemis.

The laboratory of Prof. Bader will contribute its extensive expertise in rat transgenesis and the institute of Prof. Reichardt will add its profound scientific know-how in the area of targeted modification of the rat genome.

The results of this project will significantly increase the understanding of pathomechanisms in humans and thus make a major contribution to the development of new and improved drugs and therapies for the treatment of severe human disease.

Artemis Pharmaceuticals

Artemis Pharmaceuticals provides ready made and custom built mice - and in the future rats - to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for drug discovery research as well as to academic centers for basic research purposes.The company has developed an exceptionally efficient and powerful technology basis, termed ArteMice(TM) for the generation of genetically engineered mouse models. The ArteMice(TM) platform combines multiple elements, including advanced vector construction techniques, novel ES cells and mouse models to allow genetically modified mouse generation with unparalleled speed and efficiency. Artemis uses the ArteMice(TM) platform to generate mice with conditional or constitutive alterations in gene expression for gene function analysis in vivo. In addition, mice can be generated in which the mouse gene is completely replaced by its human orthologe. The biology of these "humanized mice" has a high level of similarity to human biology and, therefore they can play an important role in drug discovery. These models can provide an optimal model for the early in vivo testing of lead compound toxicity and efficacy on the specific human target. In this way they can better facilitate the selection of promising drug development candidates. In combination with Artemis' proprietary in vivo shRNAi methodology the ArteMice(TM) technology represents a particularly efficient way for gene function knockdown in all tissues of a mouse.

Artemis and Taconic (Germantown, N.Y.), one of the leading breeders of laboratory animals, have recently entered into a strategic alliance for the generation, marketing and delivery of genetically engineered mouse models. This unique alliance combines Artemis' leading technology platform in mouse genetics and genomics with Taconic's industry leading expertise in rodent breeding, quality control, global marketing and distribution to optimally serve our customers worldwide.

Artemis cooperates with Merck, Inc., Schering AG, Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Biovitrum AB, Evotec, Astra-Zeneca, Grünenthal, Merck KGaA, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Benitec, Exelixis, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), ITI Lifesciences, Riken (Japan) and others.

Artemis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelixis, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA

. RiNA RNA-Network

The RiNA RNA-Network provides ongoing support and funding for the development of RNA technologies with the goal to commercialize the results. One main focus is the improvement and application of the RNA interference technology. In further projects RNA aptamers and cell-free protein biosynthesis systems are developed and the structure and function of RNA molecules is analysed. The RiNA RNA-Network encourages co-operation and information exchange between academia and industry in order to create synergy and promote the commercialisation of the results.

RiNA GmbH is in charge of the technology transfer and the revenues will provide additional funds for new innovative research projects. The network is currently financed by the Senate of Berlin, the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, the European Regional Development Fund and industry.

In addition to the project management, the RiNA RNA-Network arranges seminars and workshops and hosts meetings. Interested scientists, institutes and companies are invited to join the network.

Members of the RiNA RNA-Network are: Charité - University Hospital Berlin, German Arthritis Research Centre, Free University of Berlin, Max-Planck-Institute for Infection Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Hamburg, Amaxa GmbH, Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Atugen AG, Chiron Corporation, Dierks & Partner, Hal Allergy B.V., Noxxon Pharma AG, Oligene GmbH, Qiagen GmbH, Sanofi-Aventis AG, Schering AG and others.

For further information please contact: Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH RiNA Netzwerk RNA-Technologien GmbH Monika Hahn Stefan Bauer Neurather Ring 1 Takustrasse 3 51063 Köln 14195 Berlin GERMANY GERMANY Tel: +49-221-96453-10 Tel: +49-30-844166-34 Fax: +49-221-96453-21 Fax: +49-30-844166-11 m.hahn@artemispharma.de bauer@rna-network.com http://www.artemispharma.de/ http://www.rna-network.com/

Artemis Pharmaceutical GmbH

CONTACT: Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Monika Hahn, Neurather Ring 1,51063 Köln, GERMANY, Tel: +49-221-96453-10 Fax:+49-221-96453-21 m.hahn@artemispharma.de http://www.artemispharma.de/RiNA Netzwerk RNA-Technologien GmbH, Stefan Bauer, Takustrasse3, 14195 Berlin, GERMANY, Tel: +49-30-844166-34 Fax:+49-30-844166-11 bauer@rna-network.com http://www.rna-network.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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