Paradigm Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDGM), a biotechnology company, today announced that the company has been issued two U.S. patents: No. 6,733,963, titled “Methods for the Identification of Inhibitors of Isopropylmalate Dehydratase as Antibiotics” and No. 6,740,498, titled “Methods for the Identification of Inhibitors of Histidinol-Phosphatase as Antibiotics.

” These patents cover the discovery of two novel gene targets in two distinct biochemical pathways by which fungi produce L-leucine and L-histidine, respectively. Leucine and histidine are nutrients necessary for the growth and development of fungi.

The patents also cover methods enabling the discovery of chemicals that inhibit protein activity within these pathways.

Chemical compounds discovered by Paradigm’s patented method may lead to the development of more effective, less toxic fungicides with novel modes of action, which are highly sought after throughout the agricultural industry.

“These two patents, the sixth and seventh in our growing fungicide patent portfolio, demonstrate once more the power of our proprietary TAG-KO® technology for identifying novel targets for fungicide discovery and development,” said Keith Davis, Ph.D., Vice President, Agriculture Research.

“These targets, which are not found in humans and are very different from those in plants, may lend themselves to the discovery of fungicides with low toxicity profiles, a characteristic of significant value to large agricultural companies.”

Davis continued, “In January, we relaunched our fungicide discovery research activities and are developing assays based on the targets we discovered to screen for promising chemistry. By doing so, we can move our research further down the development chain, thereby making it more attractive for potential licensing, partnerships or other commercial opportunities.”

Paradigm’s TAG-KO® patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,562,624 and 6,703,200) cover methods for the rapid and systematic mutation of pathogenic fungi, enabling the efficient identification of novel anti-fungal and fungicide targets as well as novel biosynthetic and degradation pathways. TAG-KO® technology may lead to new fungicides, human anti-fungal products, and industrial products. 1

Paradigm Genetics is a biotechnology company applying its proprietary systems biology platform to the discovery of safer, more effective drugs and agrichemicals. Paradigm Genetics has major collaborations with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bayer CropScience, the Monsanto Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s Advanced Technology Program, and L’Oréal Inc.