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Mountain View, California (October 1, 2002) - SurroMed, Inc. and
Callida Genomics, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Hyseq
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYSQ), announced today a collaboration
funded in-part by a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Advanced Technology Program (ATP) grant.
The grant supports the development of a high throughput universal genotyping
system, combining SurroMed’s NanobarcodesÔ particles technology with Callida’s
universal probes technology. The companies expect to develop a system capable
of rapidly scoring more than 100,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
per patient using a solution array approach.
The three-year grant provides funding for both companies, approximately
$4.4 million for SurroMed and $3.2 million for Callida. This grant is a
reinstatement of an ATP grant originally awarded to SurroMed in October 2001.
SurroMed will contribute more than 1,000 different “flavors” of Nanobarcodes™
particles, instrumentation for read-out and software for particle identification
and analysis. Callida will contribute molecular biology and chemistry to amplify
genomic DNA and to identify and read the SNPs.
SurroMed’s Nanobarcodes™ particles are cylindrically shaped, "striped" metal
nanoparticles in which the stripes comprise different metals such as gold, silver,
platinum and nickel. Analogous to conventional barcoding, this technology enables
the creation of extremely large numbers of unique and identifiable particles by
varying the width and composition of the stripes. Individual particles can be
identified by reading the stripe patterns using microscopes or other optical
instruments. Nanobarcodes™ particles can be used to simultaneously carry out
large numbers of biological assays in a small volume. This parallel approach to
biological analysis is known as "multiplexing."
Callida’s universal probes are sets of short synthetic DNA molecules that
can be used to analyze the sequence of any DNA sample from any source.
Unlike most DNA probes, they are designed using various statistical principles,
and are not based on the particular DNA sequence or sequences to be tested.
One universal probe set allows detection of all possible mutations and SNPs in
any gene. These probe sets and their uses, are covered by various patents owned by
Callida, including U.S. Patent number 6,451,996 recently issued on September 17, 2002.
"This NIST-ATP grant will allow us to develop our Nanobarcodes™ particles
for extremely high levels of multiplexing in genetic analysis," said
Dr. Michael Natan, Chief Technology Officer of SurroMed and inventor of the
Nanobarcodes™ particles technology. "We are very excited to combine
our efforts with those of Callida Genomics to bring revolutionary SNP analysis
products to the market."
"We are pleased to join forces with SurroMed to expand Callida's universal
probe product portfolio and DNA analysis capabilities" said
Dr. Radoje Drmanac, chief scientific officer of Callida Genomics and inventor
of the universal probes technology. "The NIST funding will enable us to
combine our universal technology with the efficiency of SurroMed's, resulting
in cost-effective products able to detect any SNP."
About SurroMed, Inc.
Headquartered in Mountain View, California, SurroMed is pioneering biomarker
enabled drug discovery and development. The Company focuses on discovering
and applying biomarkers to improve the drug discovery and development process
and enable the precise diagnosis and personalized treatment of disease.
SurroMed’s research process yields biological markers and information that
enable accelerated, cost-efficient discovery and development of new therapeutic
products, as well as development of diagnostic tests for early disease detection,
disease staging, patient stratification, and guiding and monitoring therapy.
About Callida Genomics
Callida Genomics, Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Hyseq Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Nasdaq: HYSQ), is focused on the development, commercialization and use of
advanced DNA sequence analysis systems based upon its sequencing-by-hybridization
technology. The company’s core business is based on universal DNA probe products
that are applicable to any gene or genomic application, including DNA sequencing,
genotyping and gene expression. The versatility and simplicity of Callida's universal
probe technology allows researchers to quickly and easily adapt assays to their
particular research needs. Callida also offers licenses to other established
companies that utilize probes in non-universal DNA analysis products. Information
about Hyseq Pharmaceuticals and Callida Genomics is available at www.hyseq.com or
by phoning 408-524-8100.
Hyseq-Callida Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements in this press release regarding the business of Hyseq Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. and its subsidiary, Callida Genomics, Inc. which are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion
of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from
those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Hyseq’s
Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.
Contacts:
SurroMed, Inc.
August J. Moretti
CFO and General Counsel
(650) 230-1961
email: [email protected]
Callida Genomics, Inc.
Nicole Estrin
(415) 677-4455 ext. 233
email: [email protected]
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