Contact for Creighton: Lori Elliott-Bartle Creighton University (402) 280-2607
For Genome Therapeutics:
Christopher Taylor, Director of Investor, Genome Therapeutics Corp.
(781) 398-2466
Douglas E. MacDougall, Vice President Relations , Feinstein Kean Partners
(617) 577-8110
EMBARGOED UNTIL 1 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, DEC. 2, 1998
RESEARCHERS NARROW SEARCH FOR HIGH BONE MASS GENE Creighton University Reports Progress at the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Conference
San Francisco, California, December 2, 1998 -- Speaking today that the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Conference in San Francisco, researchers from Creighton University reported progress in identifying a gene associated with high bone mass, the mirror image of osteoporosis. Identification and characterization of this high bone mass (HBM) gene and related genes are expected to facilitate development of new therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis. The data presented were generated by Creighton and Genome Therapeutics Corp.
"We are utilizing a unique family resource to gain understanding of the biology associated with the HBM gene -- namely, why affected members from the family have increased bone density, no incidence of bone fracture and apparent protection from osteoporosis," said Robert R. Recker, M.D., internationally recognized leader of bone research and Director of the Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center. "Affected family members exhibit increased bone density in the hip and spine, suggesting that the HBM gene is in a pathway that senses mechanical loading and creates stronger bones. If we can pharmacologically mimic the effects of the HBM gene, we will have an exciting new approach to prevent and treat osteoporosis."
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis affects nearly half of all women over 75 years of age, and approximately 25 million individuals in the United States. The direct impact of this disease on health care costs in the U.S. has now been estimated at over $14 billion per year.
More than 50 percent of variation in bone mass is under genetic control. It is believed that osteoporosis is a polygenic disorder and, therefore, it will probably take several years to unravel the predisposing genes and identify pharmaceutical targets. Thus, as a potential shortcut to identification of novel genes regulating bone density, this collaboration between Creighton and Genome Therapeutics is focused on a monogenic high bone mass trait. Like osteoporosis, the high bone mass trait represents a quantitative change in bone mineral density.
In a scientific session devoted to the genetics of bone mineral density and osteoporosis, Dr. Mark Johnson of Creighton University reported that a research team from Creighton and Genome Therapeutics had identified 14 genes in the High Bone Mass (HBM) gene region. Dr. Johnson reported that none of the 14 genes contained in the HBM region have been previously described as having a role in bone biology, and that many of the 14 represent novel, previously uncharacterized genes.
The team identified these genes by successfully refining the HBM gene region to a 1.5 million base pair interval on Chromosome 11. Using Genome Therapeutics' proprietary high-throughput physical mapping, DNA sequencing and gene discovery technologies, the team completely sequenced and identified all of the genes in the 1.5 Mb HBM region. Dr. Johnson reported that functional studies are in progress to confirm the identity and biology of the HBM gene. Patent applications have been filed jointly by Creighton University and Genome Therapeutics.
Previously, researchers from Creighton University published studies of a family exhibiting an autosomal dominant trait of high bone mass and defined a 30 cM linkage interval on Chromosome 11. Affected members of this kindred with high bone mass have normally shaped bones with an average bone density of five standard deviations above the mean for individuals of similar age and gender. Identifying additional family members with critical crossovers significantly reduced the linkage interval and made it possible to identify all of the genes in the HBM region.
"We are now seeing the benefits of a true partnership between a world-class academic research center and an industrial-scale genomics company. Notably, Creighton's work with the HBM families has been essential to the successful advancement of our program," said Robert J. Hennessey, Chairman, President and CEO of Genome Therapeutics. "We are convinced that this HBM gene program represents one of the most promising genetic approaches to develop novel treatments for osteoporosis. Functional studies now underway will provide a more definitive picture of the role this gene plays in bone biology and we look forward to sharing those results, as well as news of a pharmaceutical partner in the future."
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton is an independent Catholic university operated by the Jesuits. It was ranked No. 1 for the third consecutive year among Midwestern universities in U.S. News and World Report magazine's 1999 "America's Best Colleges" edition. Creighton enrolls approximately 6,200 students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business Administration, the Graduate School, University College and schools of Nursing, Medicine, Law, Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, and Summer Sessions.
Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, Genome Therapeutics (Nasdaq: GENE) (www.genomecorp.com) is a leader in the field of genomics -- the identification and functional characterization of genes. The Company's commercial gene discovery strategy is to identify and characterize human genes associated with major diseases and elucidate bacterial genes responsible for many serious infectious diseases. Together with its strategic partners, Genome Therapeutics is using genomic information to develop a new generation of pharmaceuticals.
Safe Harbor Statement for Genome Therapeutics: Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results may differ from those projected in the forward looking statement due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Genome Therapeutics' operations and business environment, described more fully in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
# # #
RSS