Nova Molecular, Geneka Biotechnology Enter Gene Expression Collaboration
Under the agreement, the companies will use Geneka Biotechnology's gene expression platform to identify transcriptional factors in gene expression studies involving NMI's lead therapeutic compound and related target pathways. NMI has established a working functional model for membrane remodeling and cholesterol dynamics that is based on genetic polymorphisms contributing to neuro-degenerative disease processes such as Alzheimer Disease.
"We believe that the underlying mechanism of neuron repair is basic to patient management of neural degenerative disease, stroke, trauma, and infection," said NMI president and CEO Margaret Bywater. "This agreement represents a new approach to drug development and target identification based on the regulation of specific gene expression using transcription factors."
According to Rino Camato, president and CEO of Geneka Biotechnology, the companies will use the functional assays to validate selected compounds as ones that can revert defects caused by the loss of control of gene expression, a condition associated with the onset of neuro-degenerative diseases of the CNS.
Geneka Biotechnology Inc. is functional genomics company whose mission is to explore the frontiers of gene regulation.
NMI's mission is to apply discoveries based on the biochemical mechanisms of neuron repair to improve neuron repair mechanisms in acute and chronic degenerative diseases of the central nervous system.
For more information, call Brigitte Lebreton of Nova Molecular at 514-484-7373.