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February 2, 2004
AnGes MG
and Gene Design Inc. embark on joint development
of next-generation decoy nucleotides as part of their
push into the field of systemic diseases including cancer and
IBD |
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Today AnGes MG, Inc. concluded a joint development
agreement of next-generation decoy nucleotides with Gene Design
Inc., a company specializing in the synthesis of nucleic acid
based agents.
In this joint development of next-generation decoy nucleotides,
AnGes MG aims to become active in the field of systemic diseases
including cancer and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and enhancing
the development pipeline as well as the stability of the decoy
nucleotides in blood, further improving safety, strengthening
medicinal benefits and decreasing the required intravenous dosage,
thereby reducing cost.
Nucleotide cannot be administered intravenously as it is relatively
easily broken down by the nuclease in blood, so its use is limited
to diseases for which topical administrations are possible.
AnGes MG has been developing NF B
decoy oligodeoxynucleotide on the premise of topical administrations
of the drug directly to the affected areas to treat patients
suffering from atopic dermatitis, rheumatic arthritis, and restenosis.
Through the collaborations to date with Gene Design Inc., which
specializes in nucleic acid synthesis, AnGes MG has already
succeeded in the development of a new decoy, which is hardly
broken down by the nuclease in blood, by circularly modifying
the terminal areas of the conventional decoy nucleotides (AnGes
MG calls this new decoy "ribbon decoy" from the ribbon-like
structure).
With the current collaboration , AnGes MG is embarking on the
development of a third-generation decoy on the basis of the
experiences it has gained through the development of the ribbon
decoy. Through this study of next-generation decoy nucleotides,
AnGes MG aims to become active in the field of systemic diseases
such as cancer or IBD and enhancing the development pipeline
as well as remarkably improving the stability of the decoy nucleotides
in blood as well as its safety, while reducing the doses required
for intravenous administration, and consequently reducing the
cost. |
| Reference |
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 Explanation
of specialized terms
1.
Nucleotide
A fraction of a genetic expression, since it is extracted from
nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), it is referred to as nucleotide.
Nucleotides can be artificially synthesized.
2.
Decoy nucleotide
A genetic expression features a switch - genetic factor - bonded
to a genome. A decoy is a sequence of double-stranded nucleic
acids of the same array as the aforementioned genetic factors,
which when introduced to the body, neutralizes those "switches"
by preventing their bonding to a genome, thereby regulating
the transcription process.
3.
Antisense nucleotides
The information in DNA has to be transcribed to mRNA for protein
synthesis to begin, and thus - for a genetic expression to "work."
Antisense nucleotides comprise a complementary base sequence
of mRNA. When introduced to the body, these nucleotides bond
to mRNA, thereby regulating the transcription process.
4. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Diseases of unknown causes which cause chronic inflammations
or ulcers to the mucous membranes of the large or small intestines;
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease to be specific.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease which causes
erosions or ulcers to mucous membranes of the large intestine.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease which occurs more
often in younger people, can affect all digestive organs, from
the buccal capsule to the anus, and is characterized by frequent
occurrences at the end of the small intestine in particular.
5. NF B
(nuclear factor - kappa B)
NFB
is a genetic factor enabling regulation of cytokines and adhesion
factors - related to immunological reactions. Bonding NFB
to a genome causes excessive transcription of immunization-related
genetic expressions. This is why NFB
has been indicated as one of the causes of atopic dermatitis,
rheumatic arthritis, myocardium infarctions, and arteriosclerosis.
In addition, regular medicines, such as steroids, or aspirin,
even antioxidants are used to inhibit NFB
.
6. NFB
decoy oligodeoxynucleotide
A decoy nucleotide against NF?B . AnGes MG is developing
therapeutic agents on the basis of its properties to treat patients
suffering from atopic dermatitis, rheumatic arthritis, and restenosis
- conditions caused by excessive immunological response. |
| Company
Profile |
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| Gene Design Inc. |
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| Head office: |
3-6-301 Mihogaoka, Ibaragi, Osaka, 567-0047 Japan |
| President and CEO: |
Kazuhiko Yuyama |
| Established: |
December 2000 |
| Capital: |
18 million yen (December 2003) |
| Number of employees: |
13 (June 2003) |
| Sales: |
92 million yen (October 2003) |
| Scope of business: |
Contracting of DNA synthesis, development of innovative
nucleic acid synthesis technology, etc. |
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