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| ASTELLAS PHARMA
INC. EXTENDS DRUG DISCOVERY COLLABORATION WITH METABOLEX FOCUSED
ON NEW THERAPEUTICS FOR DIABETES AND OBESITY |
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Hayward, CA, (May
2, 2005): Metabolex, Inc. today announced an
extension of its multi-year research collaboration with Astellas
Pharma Inc. (formerly Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
to validate novel drug targets identified through Metabolex’s
discovery program with the goal of advancing several candidate
compounds into development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
and obesity.
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| “Our collaboration with
Metabolex has been extremely productive. In less than three
years, we have made great strides in identifying and validating
several novel targets,” said Isao Yanagisawa, Ph.D., Director
of Drug Discovery Research of Astellas Pharma Inc. “We
are committed to using a genomics-based drug discovery approach
and to developing new treatments for type 2 diabetes, and we
recognize that Metabolex has both significant expertise in understanding
the underlying biology and genetic basis of this disease and
an extensive database of genes implicated in metabolic disorders.” |
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| Under the one-year extension, Metabolex
will receive research funding and screening and development
milestones from Astellas Pharma Inc. The two companies
initiated their research collaboration, focused on the
discovery, development, and commercialization of new therapeutics
for type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired glucose
tolerance and obesity, in late March 2002. Metabolex could
receive royalties on eventual sales of any product emerging
from the collaboration, and will retain co-promotion rights
in North and South America. Financial details of the extension
were not disclosed. |
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“Astellas Pharma Inc.’s
decision to extend its research collaboration with us is a
testament to our successful partnership to date in identifying
superior diabetes and obesity targets for development,”
said Harold Van Wart, Ph.D., president and chief executive
officer of Metabolex. “Our hope is that the current
targets and those that we are researching will result in the
development of several promising drug candidates to treat
diabetes and obesity, two conditions that are increasing to
epidemic proportions.” |
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| Astellas Pharma Inc. already has selected
several novel targets for drug screening, including a membrane
receptor, a functional protein and a metabolic enzyme, through
an analysis of Metabolex’s proprietary database of genes.
Astellas Pharma Inc. has begun screening low-molecular-weight
compounds from its own library in order to accelerate the development
of new drugs useful for diabetes and obesity. Astellas Pharma
Inc. plans to identify candidate compounds from at least ten
targets discovered and validated through this collaboration. |
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| About
Astellas Pharma Inc. |
Astellas Pharma Inc., located
in Tokyo, is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving
the health of people around the world through the provision
of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. In April 2005,
the company was formed through the merger of Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co.,
Ltd. and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The organization is committed
to becoming a global mega
pharmaceutical company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing
capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical
market. |
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| About Metabolex |
Metabolex is a privately
held biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and
development of novel therapeutics to transform the treatment
of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Metabolex has
drawn on its deep understanding of diabetes to create the
largest database of genes involved in diabetes and to build
a rich pipeline of product candidates and drug discovery targets.
The company’s clinical program is focused on developing next-generation
insulin sensitizers that lower blood glucose without the serious
safety and tolerability issues associated with currently marketed
products. |
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| For additional information about
Metabolex and its development pipeline, visit www.metabolex.com. |
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