LION Bioscience AG and Paradigm Genetics, Inc. today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to form a strategic alliance in genomics-based data management and analysis.

The alliance should leverage LION's expertise in the development and marketing of high-end Life
Science informatics software tools, such as its SRS6 and bioSCOUT(TM) products, and Paradigm's strength in industrializing functional genomics and informatics. Combining LION's leading data mining and highly innovative knowledge management tools and systems with Paradigm's high-throughput gene function determination technologies is expected to create the most advanced systems for the identification and delivery of important targets for crop production, nutrition, and human health.

Initially, the alliance will focus on the development of informatics tools for metabolic profiling that predict the changes of biochemical pathways in plants and fungi, using LION's advanced integrated IT-systems and AgDB(TM), Paradigm's relational database system. The two companies also plan to develop phenotypic analysis tools to analyse and predict gene function. These tools should further broaden the applicability of LION's i-biology(TM) solution to the field of agriculture and Paradigm's AgDB(TM).

"Paradigm is among the leaders in gene function determination. Partnering with such an innovative company is a significant step in our strategy to build the best tools to assist our clients' research efforts,'' said Friedrich von Bohlen, Ph.D., CEO of LION Bioscience. "Paradigm and LION each have a very strong position in their respective fields of expertise, and this alliance will place us in a unique position that brings even greater value to our customers.''

"This alliance is expected to create what we believe will be the standard for genomics-based data
management and analysis for crop production, nutrition, and human health,'' said John Ryals, Ph.D., CEO and president of Paradigm. "As well as delivering greater value to our customers, this alliance will allow Paradigm to focus its informatics resources on strategic gene function determination issues, while enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional customer interfaces.''

LION Bioscience AG is a leading genomics and information technology company, pioneering the field of i-biology(TM) for expediting Life Science research. Founded in 1997, the company has more than 190 employees, with headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and subsidiaries in Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, Massachuset. The company leverages its core competencies in information technologies and genomics to accelerate and improve the drug discovery and Life Science research efforts of its partners throughout the pharmaceutical, agricultural and biotechnology industry.

To date, LION AG has established numerous alliances in informatics and genomics with leading Life Science research companies, including Aventis, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, DEGUSSA and Pharmacia & Upjohn.

Paradigm Genetics is harnessing the power of biology for global crop production, nutrition, and human health. By marrying biology with computer technology, the company has become a leader in bioinformatics for agriculture. Paradigm has developed a proprietary plant functional genomics system (AgDB(TM)) that integrates gene discovery, gene function determination, and gene use identification. The strategy of employing leading-edge bioinformatics and collaborating with some of the world's best-known life sciences companies continues to lead to gene function identification that can be used commercially to: discover better and safer compounds to protect crops against disease, weeds, and insect pests; develop more efficacious and environmentally-friendly plant nutrition products; improve the quality of seed germplasm through the development of more efficient breeding tools and the discovery of new and valuable genes; and discover novel antimicrobial compounds for human use. 

Company news release
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