Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCHERS FROM GENOME THERAPEUTICS AND CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
IDENTIFY GENE LINKED TO HIGH BONE MASS
- Data presented at annual meetings of the American Society of Human Genetics
and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research -
WALTHAM, MASS., OCTOBER 15, 2001 - Building on a proven program of gene
discovery, scientists at Genome Therapeutics (Nasdaq: GENE) and Creighton
University discovered a novel gene responsible for high bone density.
Osteoporosis, an increasingly prevalent human disease, is characterized by low
bone density and structural deterioration of bone tissue. Researchers described
the identification of the protein responsible for above average bone mineral
density in presentations this weekend at the annual meetings of the American
Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the American Society for Bone and Mineral
Research (ASBMR). This gene discovery is the foundation of a multi-year alliance
between Genome Therapeutics and Wyeth-Ayerst for genomics-based osteoporosis
drug discovery and is expected to be a promising research pathway to novel
products for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.
Using members of a large extended family, some of whom displayed the high bone
mass (HBM) trait, scientists at Creighton and Genome Therapeutics were able to
identify a single amino acid change in a protein receptor responsible for above
average bone mineral density. Genome Therapeutics used DNA sequencing to
identify polymorphisms (specific DNA base pair changes) in the HBM candidate
genes. Researchers then determined which of these polymorphisms accompanied the
HBM trait. One specific variation was found exclusively in affected individuals
from the extended HBM family, but not in the general population.
"Our ability to move from identifying individuals with high bone mass to
isolating the genetic change responsible for this trait is a testament to the
utility of positional cloning in the quest to understand human diseases," said
Robert R. Recker, M.D., Director of the Creighton Osteoporosis Research Center.
"The combination of Creighton's expertise in hereditary analysis, led by Dr.
Mark Johnson, and Genome Therapeutics' command of gene identification
technologies enabled the discovery of this novel gene. At Creighton, we were
also fortunate to recognize and recruit this family with high bone mass, and we
depend on their goodwill and enthusiasm for the success of the process."
Genome Therapeutics and Creighton have jointly collaborated since 1997,
providing access for the company to the high bone mass families and to
Creighton's top bone researchers. The university, in turn, benefits from Genome
Therapeutics' expertise in positional cloning and human genetics. For the HBM
project, Creighton conducted the pedigree analysis and chromosomal mapping that
led the research team to the HBM region. Scientists at Genome Therapeutics
further narrowed the chromosomal map, found multiple candidate genes and
identified the specific HBM gene. Mark Johnson, Ph.D., of the Creighton
University School of Medicine, presented data at this year's ASBMR meeting.
"Today's announcement and the asthma gene discovery earlier this year underscore
the success of our expansive gene discovery program," said Steven M. Rauscher,
CEO and President of Genome Therapeutics. "Our human genetics drug discovery
platform is comprehensive, incorporating population recruitment, phenotype
characterization, statistical genetics and
pathway analysis to foster solutions for complex human disorders. Further, our
ability to identify genes with a high degree of relevance for major diseases
like asthma and osteoporosis highlights the continuing growth of our
biopharmaceutical program in human genetics research."
The findings from all collaborators are planned for publication at a later date.
BACKGROUND ON BONE MASS AND OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis, an increasingly prevalent disease, is characterized by low bone
mass, structural deterioration of bone tissue and an increased susceptibility to
fractures. If not treated, the disease advances and the hip and spine becoming
increasingly vulnerable. According to the National Institutes of Health,
osteoporosis is a complex disease that affects over 10 million people in the
United States at a direct cost of $14 billion. It can result in 1.5 million
fractures every year. One out of two women and one in eight men over 50 years
old will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
Current osteoporosis therapies work by slowing the resorption of bone in an
attempt to stop or delay the progression of the disease. The discovery of the
high bone mass gene reveals an alternative pathway to treatment and creates the
opportunity to identify ways to promote an increase in bone mass.
BACKGROUND ON THE GENOME THERAPEUTICS / WYETH-AYERST ALLIANCE
Genome Therapeutics and Wyeth-Ayerst, the pharmaceutical division of American
Home Products (NYSE: AHP), entered into a research alliance in December 1999 to
discover new therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The
agreement included an up-front license fee, funding for a multi-year research
program, milestone payments and future royalties on sales of products developed
as a result of this collaboration. Genome Therapeutics received a milestone
payment in June 2001 for its work related to the discovery of the high bone mass
gene. If the research and development goals of the alliance are met, total
payments to Genome Therapeutics could exceed $118 million, excluding royalties.
ABOUT CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
Creighton University is an independent, Catholic, comprehensive university
operated by the Jesuits, who have a 500 year tradition of excellence in
education. Creighton has been ranked at or near the top of Midwestern
universities in the U.S. News & World Report magazine's America's Best Colleges
edition for more than a decade. Creighton enrolls more than 6,200 students of
diverse faiths and races from across the United States and 65 countries. The
student body is taught by 700 full-time faculty members in the Colleges of Arts
& Sciences, Business Administration, the Graduate School, University College;
and Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions, and Summer Sessions. The University is located in Omaha, Nebraska
(pop. 800,000 metro area) on a 92-acre campus adjacent to the downtown business
district.
ABOUT GENOME THERAPEUTICS
Genome Therapeutics (www.genomecorp.com) is focused on the commercialization of
genomics-based pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. The Company's genomics
services business includes custom contract sequencing and the PathoGenome(TM)
Database. The Company's biopharmaceutical business focuses on the development of
novel therapeutics and diagnostics to solve major medical needs and includes six
alliances with pharmaceutical companies including Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca,
Wyeth-Ayerst and bioMerieux, to develop
genomics-based products and a joint venture with ArQule. Genome Therapeutics'
product candidate, Ramoplanin, is in Phase III clinical trials for the
prevention of bloodstream infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci
(VRE).
STATEMENTS IN THIS PRESS RELEASE THAT ARE NOT STRICTLY HISTORICAL ARE "FORWARD
LOOKING" STATEMENTS AS DEFINED IN THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995. A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT FACTORS COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED OR SUGGESTED IN THE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY AND ITS ALLIANCE
PARTNERS TO (I) SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP PRODUCTS BASED ON THE COMPANY'S GENOMIC
INFORMATION, (II) OBTAIN THE NECESSARY GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS, (III) EFFECTIVELY
COMMERCIALIZE ANY PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BEFORE ITS COMPETITORS AND (IV) OBTAIN AND
ENFORCE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT 99 OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2000 AND FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S OTHER REPORTS FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
###