Biovitrum signs research agreement with Artemis Pharmaceuticals

Biovitrum, one of the largest biotech companies in Europe, and German company Artemis Pharmaceuticals, of Cologne, have signed a research services agreement concerning the generation of RNAi-modified transgenic mice for the in vivo functional analysis of selected disease related genes.

The application of RNAi based technologies for targeted knock-down of selected genes is one of the most promising methods for gene function analysis in basic and pharmaceutical research. There have only been limited studies showing utility of RNAi in corresponding mammalian organisms in vivo. Using scientific methods developed in Artemis it is now possible to obtain an efficient, rapid and widespread RNAi knock down in adult transgenic mice.

Under the terms of the agreement, Artemis will generate shRNAi knock down transgenic mice that Biovitrum will use in certain pharmaceutical research programmes. Biovitrum will provide selected shRNA sequences that correspond to genes that may play a central role in human diseases. Artemis will use its propietary technologies functionally down-regulate expression of targeted proteins. This triggers biological effects that will be analysed to obtain disease related data and information that Biovitrum will apply to its pharmaceutical research efforts. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

'The production of RNAi gene knockdown mice by Artemis has the potential to provide rapid in vivo target validation,' commented Dr Nigel Levens, head of Biology at Biovitrum. 'This technology will help in early stage project selection and support our efforts as a major player in metabolic diseases research.'

'For the first time disease-related genes will be carefully analysed in vivo in adult mice by combining shRNAi technology with our proprietary methodologies,' added Dr Paul Rounding, managing director for business development at Artemis. 'We believe that our technology is broadly applicable throughout pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and anticipate that this strategy will be scientifically and commercially important for our company in the future.'