Telik, Genaissance collaboration identifies estrogen receptor-based compounds

Telik Inc. (South San Francisco) and Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc. (New Haven, CT) have successfully identified compounds that exhibit activity against several novel gene variants of the estrogen receptor. Telik has an exclusive right to license the joint intellectual property discovered under the collaboration for further development, and intends to seek partnerships with companies that have significant expertise in women's health. Telik and Genaissance will share in revenues derived from any licenses.

According to Michael M. Wick, Telik's chairman and CEO, "Genaissance successfully applied its advanced HAP Technology to discover certain estrogen receptor gene variants that may influence the efficacy and side effect profiles of drugs for estrogen-related diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis."

"By applying our TRAP drug discovery technology, we were able to identify several small molecules that have shown high affinity for certain variants that could enable the development of new drugs that can either target or avoid specific receptor variants for safer and more effective therapy," Wick added.

Telik Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to discover, develop, and commercialize small molecule drugs to treat serious diseases for which there is significant demand for new therapies.

Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc. applies population genomics and informatics technologies to the development of personalized medicines. The company discovers genomic markers that are predictive of drug response based on each patient's DNA.

For more information: Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc., 5 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511. Tel: 203-773-1450.

Edited by Jim Pomager
Assistant Editor, Drug Discovery Online