Compugen Ltd. announced the discovery and experimental verification of CGEN-327, a novel molecular biomarker candidate for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. CGEN-327 is a previously unknown splice variant of the HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4) gene, which is a known biomarker for ovarian cancer. The company also announced that it has entered into a research and license option agreement for the product candidate with a leading diagnostic company. Patent coverage for this discovery is being pursued by Compugen.
Anat Cohen-Dayag, vice president of R&D for Compugen stated, ‘This is an excellent example of Compugen’s unique discovery on demand capabilities. In this case, we were approached by a leading company developing and commercializing immunoassay panels for rapid diagnosis of challenging diseases. Their specific interest was to determine whether any unknown splice variants exist for this known biomarker for ovarian cancer, an objective with a high level of industry interest and past research activity.’
Dr. Cohen-Dayag continued, ‘In comparison to the traditional and frequently used experimentally based discovery methodologies, Compugen’s effort was based on computational predictions of the human transcriptome and proteome provided by its LEADS platform. Utilizing proprietary algorithms for sequence alignment as well as proprietary data sets, gene structure prediction and gene products prediction, the probable structure of a previously unknown potential splice variant expressed by the HE4 gene was predicted without any wet lab experimentation. Based on this probable structure, Compugen predicted the complete transcript and protein sequence which was then verified by experimental analysis. In these validation experiments, the computationally predicted variant, CGEN -327, was successfully shown to both exist in ovary tissues and to be differentially expressed at a higher level in ovarian cancer tissues.’
The recently signed collaboration agreement provides Compugen’s partner with an option to obtain worldwide royalty bearing commercialization rights for diagnostic products based on this unique and novel gene product, with Compugen retaining all therapeutic applications. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Source: Compugen
