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Richmond, California
October 29, 2001
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) today announced
that it has been granted a new patent in the United Kingdom
entitled "Selection of Sites for Targeting by Zinc Finger
Proteins and Methods of Designing Zinc Finger Proteins to Bind
to Preselected Sites." Issued claims cover methods for
identifying target sequences, within any gene, that will serve
as preferred binding sites for zinc finger DNA-binding proteins
(ZFPs) and methods for designing ZFP transcription factors that
bind tightly and specifically to these preferred sites. Related
applications with similar claims are pending worldwide.
"This patent adds significantly to our growing intellectual
property portfolio in the field of gene regulation using
engineered ZFP transcription factors for a variety of
applications, including therapeutic product development," said
Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive
officer. "In particular, the technology covered under this
patent results in optimal modulation of gene expression and
potentially more rapid identification of optimal ZFPs for gene
regulation."
Zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) are the dominant class
of naturally occurring transcription factors in organisms from
yeast to humans. Transcription factors, which are found in the
nucleus of every cell, bind to DNA to regulate gene expression.
Though there are many kinds of transcription factors, only ZFPs
are amenable to engineering and precise targeting to a
particular gene or genes of interest. Since the over-expression
or under-expression of individual genes is the basis for many
diseases, the ability to regulate genes with engineered ZFPs has
enormous potential therapeutic benefit.
The inventions covered by this patent (Patent No. GB 2,348,425)
are the result of research by Sangamo scientists into improving
the affinity and specificity of DNA binding by engineered zinc
finger transcription factors. The enhanced affinity and
specificity of ZFP binding to preferred binding sites,
identified as described in this patent, lead to increased
efficiency in regulation of gene expression by engineered ZFPs.
Sangamo is focused on the research and development of novel
transcription factors for the regulation of gene expression. The
company's most advanced therapeutic development program involves
the use of transcription factors for the treatment of
cardiovascular disease. Other therapeutics development programs
are focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Sangamo's
Universal Gene Recognition(TM) technology enables the
engineering of transcription factors known as zinc finger
DNA-binding proteins, or ZFPs. By engineering ZFPs so that they
can recognize a specific gene, Sangamo h as created ZFP
transcription factors (ZFP TFs) that can control gene expression
and, consequently, cell function. The company intends to
establish Universal Gene Recognition as a widely used technology
for commercial applications in human therapeutics,
pharmaceutical discovery, clinical diagnostics, agriculture and
industrial biotechnology. Over twenty leading pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies have utilized ZFP TFs. For more
information about Sangamo, visit the company's web site at
www.sangamo.com.
Company news release
N3917
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