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Cellzome Announces further Extension of Molecular Pathway Collaboration


WEBWIRE

Boston, 25th October 2006 - Cellzome Inc. announced today that its research collaboration with Novartis has been extended until 30 June 2008.
Cellzome will continue to apply its proprietary technology to identify tractable therapeutic targets in several disease-relevant pathways, and to the identification of pharmacological targets, and potential off-target effects, of active Novartis compounds. Novel drug discovery projects have resulted from this work.
Tim Edwards, Cellzome’s CEO, said: “Our two teams have been working very well together and continue to make progress and create novel intellectual property. I look forward to further progress with Novartis, as Cellzome continues to integrate its technology into the drug discovery process.”
About the Collaboration
In 2004, Cellzome and Novartis entered into a collaboration that combines Cellzome’s experience in chemical proteomics and pathway mapping with Novartis’ insights into particular disease pathways and its expertise in sensitized cellular screens. The companies are charting the physical and functional protein maps of key cellular pathways of a variety of diseases, with the potential to select the best protein targets within these pathways for the development of new drug candidates.
Cellzome’s chemical proteomics expertise is also helping identify the role of active Novartis compounds in disease and their potential side effects. The work is being conducted between Cellzome’s Heidelberg operations and Novartis’ Developmental and Molecular Pathways group based in Cambridge MA. Novartis has made an equity investment in Cellzome Inc. and contributes research funding. There are also lead compound development options for both companies in exchange for licenses, milestone payments and royalties.
About Cellzome Inc.
Cellzome is a privately-owned drug discovery company applying its world-class proteomics technology to the discovery of novel small molecule therapeutics. Cellzome is commercializing its assets and technology by developing its own pipeline of small molecule kinase inhibitors for inflammatory disease, and by collaborating with leading pharmaceutical companies. Cellzome’s emerging pipeline includes a small molecule Histamine H4 receptor antagonist, initially for asthma and allergic rhinitis, which is on track to begin clinical studies in Q4 2007. In addition, Cellzome is applying its distinctive Kinobeads technology to the discovery and development of novel, selective, kinase inhibitors targeting key inflammatory mediators in immune receptor signaling and chemotaxis, including Itk, PI3Kγ and Zap-70.
The Company is also collaborating with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson PRD, focusing on developing a series of small-molecule gamma-secretase modulators for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Cellzome is intent on developing both organically and through merger or acquisition. Its holding company is domiciled in the USA and it employs about 80 people at its two operating subsidiaries in Cambridge, UK and Heidelberg, Germany. To learn more about Cellzome, please visit the website: www.cellzome.com



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