Strategic Alliance on Proteomics of CF Announced

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Monday, 18 March 2002

Proteome Systems Ltd. and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (CFFTI), a non-profit affiliate of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, today announced an agreement to collaborate on a proteomics research program to discover novel protein targets for cystic fibrosis. These proteins may be used to monitor the progression of the disease and lead to more effective intervention strategies, or as potential targets for the development of new drugs to treat this disease.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal genetic disease caused by a single gene defect that results in the faulty transport of salt in organs such as the lungs and the pancreas. This causes thick, sticky mucus that blocks the ducts in these organs, disrupting their normal functions.

Dr. Jenny Harry, Ph.D., Executive VP Discovery, Proteome Systems said, "The constituents of mucus and submucosal gland secretions are important areas underlying cystic fibrosis pathology. We are interested in identifying protein expression patterns specific to the sputum and lung secretions of CF individuals. Once these unique proteins are identified, the next step is to develop drugs to prevent the action or interactions of these proteins, thereby reducing chronic CF lung disease and delaying the need for aggressive treatments such as heart-lung transplants. We are also interested in identifying biomarkers of CF lung disease. These could significantly reduce the time and costs of carrying out clinical trials and may help guide clinical practice."

"Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. is focused on using novel strategies to identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and assisting caregivers in implementing therapies", said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and CFFTI. "We believe that Proteome Systems' state-of-the-art technology platform and their proteomics' know how, in particular their unique expertise in mucin biology, will help us achieve our goals."

"Proteome Systems' Discovery has a focus on respiratory airways disease and because of this we are well equipped to apply our knowledge to the cystic fibrosis program. We see our partnership with CFFTI as an important step toward developing point of care diagnostic tests to monitor disease progression and identifying potential drug targets", said Dr. Keith Williams, Ph.D., CEO, Proteome Systems.

Under the agreement, CFFTI retains exclusive rights to develop target molecules for new therapeutics for cystic fibrosis, while Proteome Systems retains exclusive rights to diagnostic and prognostic applications. The parties share rights to develop applications outside of cystic fibrosis.

For more information, or to contact Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, see their website at: www.cff.org