Medigenomix Acquires an Exclusive License for another Genetic Polymorphisms in G-Proteins for Applications in Pharmacogenetics

10-Jun-2004

Brussels/ Munich. Medigenomix, a subsidiary of the Eurofins Group based in Munich/ Germany, recently signed an exclusive license agreement with the University of Duisburg-Essen for the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human GNAS Gene to predict the risks for diseases, the natural course of common disorders and the response to therapies. The cooperation and license negotiations were lead by PROvendis GmbH, the agency for patent utilisation of 24 universities in North Rhine Westphalia.

With this exclusive license for GNAS, Medigenomix expands its portfolio of exclusively owned gene-polymorphisms in G-protein genes, which are universally applicable in pharmacogenetics, and, thereby significantly expands its competence in the field of pharmacogenetics. By providing these tests, the company can support the biopharmaceutical industry with an exclusive service with validated gene markers for the development of safe and efficient drugs and for the acceleration of clinical phase I-IV trials.

The broad usability of these genetic tests both in pharmacogenetics and in preventive medicine is based on the fact that G-proteins play a central role in signal transduction processes from receptors to intracellular components in all human tissues. Therefore, variations in their protein structure or expression influence all drug actions and the natural courses of common disorders. Direct insight into cellular transduction processes with SNPs coding for G-proteins

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Pharmacogenetics deals with the improved safety and efficacy of drugs. Patients may respond differently to the same drug: many patients respond as expected, others, however, are non-responders and some even suffer from serious adverse reactions. Such differences can be due to variations in the genetic background of different individuals. The challenge of pharmacogenetics is to select from the huge number of SNPs those, which have a significant impact on efficacy and tolerance of drugs. By means of such genetic markers, drug development can be conducted more efficiently and better drug tolerance can be achieved through individually tailored therapy using new drugs or those already in the market.

Many laboratories focus on the identification of variations in genes coding for enzymes involved in drug metabolism or receptors. Most of these possible variations can easily lead to vast analyses, which produce an almost unmanageable set of data, which is difficult to interpret without sophisticated statistical analysis. Medigenomix, in contrast, offers a comprehensive set of validated genetic tests for a improved examination of efficacy and adverse reactions during the drug development and, thus, for a more efficient development of safe drugs.

Prof. Dr. Winfried Siffert is one of the leading experts with a long experience in the detection and validation of polymorphisms in genes coding for G-proteins. He supports Medigenomix in offering its clients a professional consulting in the planning of clinical trials and data interpretation in addition to the laboratory analyses. Broad spectrum of applications

Examples for commercial applications in the biopharmaceutical industry are: Identification of responders/ non responders in phase I-IV clinical trials; Identification of individuals at risk for adverse drug reactions; Recruitment of responders for phase II-IV clinical trials; Individualised dosage adjustment; Re-evaluation of failed clinical studies or drugs based on pharmacogenetic aspects.

Through licensing, Medigenomix also offers the exclusive use of genetic tests for defined indications. Further applications lay in the field of predictive genetic diagnostics.

Medigenomix is an established service provider of DNA-analyses with long experiences in genotyping for a broad spectrum of applications, from animal breeding and forensic to medicine.

By its constructive negotiations, PROvendis GmbH has significantly participated in leading the patent to a fast application.

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