Artemis Pharmaceuticals and Merck Collaborate to Develop Customized Mouse Models
Cologne, Germany, June 10, 2002. Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exelixis, Inc. has established a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. for the creation of customized genetically engineered mouse models of disease based on Artemis’ proprietary Conditional™ gene targeting technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Artemis will create a specified number of customized mouse models based on Merck’s genetic specifications. Specific financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
Artemis’ Conditional™ gene targeting technology is a highly sophisticated, specific methodology for creating in vivo disease models in mice for target validation and analysis of gene function. Unlike conventional complete gene knock-out methods, Conditional™ gene targeting permits highly specific temporal and spatial control over gene inactivation. Temporal control allows completely normal development of the adult mouse until the specific time the knock-out or gene deletion is desired, and spatial control allows cell-specific gene inactivation, making it possible to selectively inactivate a target gene in specific organs of adult mice. Artemis’ technology also permits combinations of independent gene inactivations of different genes in the same cell, facilitating analysis of whether two targets act within the same biochemical pathway and determining the effect of target inhibition in an inducible, adult disease model.
“This collaboration with Merck underscores the flexibility and specificity of Artemis’ proprietary gene knock-out technology with its unique ability to create precisely controlled, information-rich mammalian models of disease,” said Peter Stadler, PhD, Managing Director, Artemis Pharmaceuticals GmbH. “We believe that Conditional™ gene targeting is a valuable asset that should be of significant value to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking high quality functional genomics tools to streamline the discovery and development of novel therapeutics.”
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