Sigma-Genosys, a member of the
Sigma-Aldrich family (NASDAQ:SIAL), and
Compugen (NASDAQ:CGEN) announced today
the commercial launch of OligoLibraries(TM),
co-branded genome oligonucleotide collections
for
gene expression profiling, at the 13th
International
genome sequencing and Analysis
Conference (GSAC) in San Diego.
In June 2001, the two companies announced an
alliance for the design, manufacture and
commercialization of three designated
OligoLibraries representing the mouse, rat and
human genome. Compugen leverages its
LEADS(TM) platform and DNA Chip Design
services to address redundancy, incorporate
alternative splicing and consider specificity and
cross-homology while developing content and
designs for the genome collections.
Sigma-Genosys manufactures the products
using its patented Abacus(TM) oligo
synthesis
platform and technologies. The products are
co-marketed by both parties under a revenue
sharing agreement. Customers of the
OligoLibraries will be able to access certain
gene sequences and other information relating
to OligoLibraries through Compugen's
LabOnWeb (www.labonweb.com) life science
Internet research engine.
These genome libraries have been available
under a limited early access program within
Johns Hopkins University, the Medical Research
Council, UK, the National Institutes of Health,
National University of
Singapore, National
Cancer Institute's Advanced Technology Center
at Gaithersburg, Maryland and the University of
North Carolina.
The public launch of OligoLibraries now provides
the
Life Sciences research community with
access to oligonucleotide collections for high
throughput gene expression analysis, drug
discovery and functional assays.
"These new oligonucleotide collections, utilizing
Sigma-Genosys' expertise in long oligo
production and Compugen's superior
computational
biology, provide the researcher
with a more accurate and informative look at
the human, mouse and rat
genomes," said
David Julien, President of the
biotechnology
division of Sigma-Aldrich.
"Our collaboration with a market leader such as
Sigma-Aldrich allows us to deliver the highest
understanding of the human, mouse and rat
genomes for the analysis of gene function.
Together we are able to offer a high-quality
manufacturing process combined with data
precision and design accuracy, creating the best
product currently available," said Mor Amitai,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of
Compugen. "We are encouraged by the early
market enthusiasm and have received positive
feedback from initial results obtained by several
early access customers," he added.