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Cenix BioScience Delivers on Target Discovery Collaboration

11 Aug 2005 - Cenix BioScience GmbH (Dresden) announced that it has delivered a collection of potential novel therapeutic targets to one of its pharmaceutical partners, Bayer HealthCare AG (Leverkusen). The targets were identified as part of a RNAi-based discovery collaboration whereby cell-based assays originally developed by Bayer scientists to probe therapeutically-relevant processes for several disease indications were adapted and optimized by Cenix to be run as high throughput (HT) RNAi screens. Cenix implemented the screens over more than 5,000 human genes, applying its industry-leading expertise in combining HT-RNAi with high content microscopy-based readouts, and using siRNA molecules designed by Cenix and produced by Ambion, Inc. (Austin, TX, USA).
 
The method of identification, based on detailed analysis of RNAi-induced loss-of-function phenotypes in living human cells, conveys upon these targets a significantly stronger patho-physiological relevance than that typically seen for targets identified by less probative "first-wave" genomics methodologies of recent years. As such, the higher level of validation delivered by Cenix inherently offers superior predictive value regarding the future therapeutic potential of drug candidates developed from these targets.
 
According to the collaboration announced in December 2003, Bayer acquired the first option to secure all rights to new target-related intellectual property generated by the project. As a result, Bayer's decision to seek patent protection on the present targets triggered unspecified milestone payments to Cenix.