South San Francisco, California
April 1, 1999Exelixis Pharmaceuticals announced today that, in
December 1998, it had achieved the first two milestones in its alliance with Bayer AG, which cover the identification of targets and
formatting high-throughput assays for the development of new generations of crop
protection agents. These milestones trigger undisclosed payments from Bayer AG.
This achievement represents the first milestones reached since their alliance started in
mid-1998.
Geoffrey Duyk, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Exelixis, stated, ``This
achievement in less
than six months demonstrates the speed and power of Exelixis' model systems genetics and
genomics to identify and validate screening targets for the development of new highly
effective
crop protection agents.'' Dr. Duyk further added, `` ... as target-based pesticide
discovery becomes an essential component of agricultural biotechnology, technology
platforms that integrate genetics, genomics and computational biology will become the
competitive advantage.''
Exelixis' research alliance with Bayer for the identification of novel targets for crop
protection
began in May 1998. The research collaboration brings together Exelixis' target-based
approach,
which utilizes model systems genetics, genomics and informatics with Bayer's experience in
the
development and commercialization of products for the agricultural market. This
collaboration also
includes the development by Exelixis of novel EST databases for pest species of strategic
importance to Bayer.
Exelixis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., together through its alliance with Artemis
Pharmaceuticals,
represent the premiere model system genetics organization focused on the identification
and
validation of novel screening targets and proteins for the pharmaceutical, diagnostic,
agricultural,
and animal health industries. Their PathFinder(TM) Technology utilizes a systematic
genetics
approach in model organisms including Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish and mice to
identify
critical genes in disease and physiological pathways, determine functional relationships
and select optimal targets for intervention. Exelixis research programs include the areas
of CNS,
inflammation, metabolic disease, oncology, and ag-bio.
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