Compugen, Human Genome Sciences Announce Major Initiative in Human Gene Mapping
By Globes correspondent

From Israel's Business Arena - Globes

March 2, 2000
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) and Compugen scientists will work together at HGSI, using the Compugen LEADS computational analysis platform, to analyze HGSI's collection of human genes. The work is expected to result in the creation of a chromosomal map of most expressed genes, the creation of a large collection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in expressed genes (called cSNPs), and the creation of a comprehensive description of human gene organization and splicing variants. HGSI will pay Compugen a fixed multi-million dollar fee for work to be completed within the next 12 months and will hold the exclusive rights to commercialize the results of the study.

Arthur Mandell, HGSI Senior Vice President, of Corporate and Business Development, said, "We expect the collaboration with Compugen to be of great economic value. Mapping of human genes can lead to new means to predict, detect and eventually treat inherited disease. The knowledge of human polymorphisms can be used to help create a new generation of safer, more effective medicines. We expect that analyses of splicing variants will provide a wealth of new opportunities to develop genes and proteins to treat and cure disease. Together, the new knowledge we gain from the collaboration with Compugen should add value to our own research and discovery efforts, and provide alternative attractive opportunities for our present and future scientific and business partners."

Human Genome Sciences' mission is to develop products to predict, prevent, detect, treat and cure disease based on its discoveries and understanding of human and microbial genes. HGSI has isolated and characterized what it believes to be more than 95% of all human genes. To date, HGSI scientists have isolated more than 2.5 million messenger RNAs from a representative sample of all human organs and tissues. cSNPs are used to speed the identification of genes that give rise to inherited genetic diseases. cSNPs are also used to uncover biochemical differences between individuals that determine sensitivity or resistance to drug treatment.

Compugen employs a team of more than 100 people, 90 of which are Mathematicians, Computer Scientists and Biologists. The R&D; team includes over 50 team members with advanced degrees (20 Ph.D./M.D. and 36 M.Sc.).

Published by Israel's Business Arena on March 2, 2000.

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