Market Pulse Breaking News Alert for Tuesday, March 14, 2006: DNAG — DNAPrint Genomics’ Pharmaceuticals Division Announces That Research on Development of Super EPO Drug for Anemia Market Shows Promising Early Results!
Market Pulse News Alert for this AM, Stocks to Watch are: DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG), Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ: FNSR), Andrx Corp. (NASDAQ: ADRX) and Universal Express Inc. (OTC BB: USXP).
Investors need to be watching DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG) this AM! DNAPrint is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology, and consumer genetic tests. DNAPrint’s family of products for the law enforcement forensics and consumer markets include DNAWitness(TM), RETINOME(TM) (a predictive test for inferring eye color from a DNA sample), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM), and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAPrint’s management sees exciting growth opportunity in these markets to introduce and sell their novel products and services. DNAG has had several excellent news announcements out lately and one again before today’s opening bell. Today their pharmaceutical division announced that research on development of Super EPO drug for the anemia market shows promising early results! Investors should be watching this one closely!
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG) today announced that research to develop commercial grade PT-401, a more powerful form of the anemia drug Erythropoietin (EPO), is proceeding on schedule with the manufacturing of PT-401 in mammalian cells being shown to be very efficient. Erythropoietin (EPO) has a worldwide market exceeding $11 billion and is growing at an average annual rate of 18% for the past 5 years.
“Based on these results, research is on schedule for our first pharmaceutical product,” stated Hector J. Gomez, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Medical Officer of DNAPrint Genomics and the Company’s DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals subsidiary. “Tests of our Super EPO dimer in animal models of anemia showed that it was several times more effective and longer acting than the currently available erythropoietin.”
In vitro testing in cell cultures revealed significant positive biological activity shown by marked growth stimulation of target mammalian blood cells, either attached to solid surfaces or growing in suspension, according to Dr. Gomez. In addition, in vivo testing in mice demonstrated that even with a single injection, robust stimulation of red blood cell production was produced as assessed by an increase in the number and volume of blood cells (hematocrit). Further analytical testing showed that the dimer exhibits unique biochemical properties that distinguish it from currently marketed red blood cell growth stimulating drugs.
“We are very pleased that our original plan of achieving production efficiency with an optimal structure/activity profile has been accomplished,” Dr. Gomez stated. “The next steps are to continue our scale up development work, and then select a qualified manufacturer to make drug material for our preclinical studies.”
DNAPrint Genomics President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gabriel noted that development of this novel compound is a long-term project. “These early indicators are encouraging and we will continue to pursue development and eventual commercialization of this exciting new drug compound,” he said.
DNAPrint Genomics obtained an exclusive worldwide license from Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in February 2005 for the development of a “Super” EPO, a more potent and longer acting form of Erythropoietin (EPO). DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals’ goal is to utilize recent genomics and chemistry advances to develop next-generation test/drug combinations called “Theranostics,” which maximizes efficacy and minimizes side effects by tailoring and customizing medication for specific individuals and well-defined population sectors.
In June 2005, DNAPrint selected Proteos, Inc., to handle preclinical analysis of PT-401 and to manufacture the initial batches of the new drug. Please see: http://www.dnaprint.com/welcome/press/press_recent/2005/0614/
About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and ranks fourth in National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals nationwide. BIDMC is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and is a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit www.bidmc.harvard.edu.
About DNAPrint Genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services in two primary markets: biomedical and forensics. DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, develops diagnostic tests and theranostic products (drug/test combinations) using the Company’s proprietary ancestry-informed genetic marker studies combined with proprietary computational modeling technology. Computational Biology and Pharmacogenomics services are also offered externally to biopharmaceutical companies. The Company’s first theranostic product is PT-401, a “Super EPO” (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end stage renal disease). Preclinical and clinical development of all the Company’s drug candidates will benefit from simulated pre-trials to design actual trials better and are targeted to patients with genetic profiles indicating their propensity to have the best clinical responses. DNAPrint is proud of its continued dedication to developing and supplying new technological advances in law enforcement and consumer ancestry heritage interests. Please refer to www.dnaprint.com for information on law enforcement and consumer applications which include DNAWITNESS(TM), RETINOME(TM), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito are two tests offered by the Company. The results from these tests may be used as identification tools when a DNA sample is deteriorated or compromised or other DNA testing fails to yield acceptable results.
Stocks in the news and acting well as of late include: Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ: FNSR), Andrx Corp. (NASDAQ: ADRX) and Universal Express Inc. (OTC BB: USXP).
Information contained herein is the opinion of Market-Pulse.com (“MP”) and is intended to be used strictly for informational purposes. You should be aware that MP attempts to assure itself of the accuracy of the information contained in the analyses it publishes. In this regard, MP does, at times, rely on the accuracy of information supplied to it by the companies which are the subject of MP’s analyses and/or parties related to those companies. MP also relies on the accuracy and integrity of information that is contained in company press releases and reports filed with the SEC. The companies mentioned in this publication have not approved the content or timing of the information being published unless otherwise noted.
MP, because it relies on information supplied by various third parties disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of such information. Any investor considering making an investment in any security which has been the subject of a MP analysis or opinion should, before making any such investment, consult with his/her market professional and/or do his/her own independent research regarding the company which is the subject of an MP opinion, recommendation or analysis. Information regarding companies which MP has opined upon is normally available from many sources including the subject company’s filings with the SEC and various press releases issued by the company.
You should be aware that MP is often compensated for issuing analyses, recommendations or opinions concerning particular companies. Its opinion is therefore not unbiased and you should consider this factor when evaluating MP’s statements regarding a company. MP has been compensated two hundred twenty five thousand dollars from DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. MP was also compensated six million restricted shares of common stock directly from DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. MP’s officers and directors reserve the right to buy additional shares of the companies discussed in this opinion and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. When MP receives free trading shares as compensation for a profiled company, MP may sell part or all of any such shares during the period in which MP is performing such services. Market-Pulse.com and Market Pulse Breaking News Alert are owned by Market Pulse LLC.
Contact: Market Pulse 800.290.8935 Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=B0BED03871946E37
SOURCE: Market Pulse