RNS Number:3890I
World Life Sciences PLC
13 August 2001 World Life Sciences plc ("World Life Sciences") World Life Science Makes Investment in Physiomics plc
The Directors of World Life Sciences are pleased to announce an investment in
a new physiomics company, Physiomics plc, which combines the study of
metabolic pathways with complex in silico modelling techniques. The Directors
believe that this is not just another "omics" play, but could potentially have
a key role in revolutionising the way in which drugs are developed in the
future. The Directors are well aware that this is a longer term investment
which the Directors believe is warranted by the significant potential of the
development of a virtual patient. World Life Sciences has acquired a 20.06%
shareholding. Physiomics is the integrated, system-level approach to the study of human
physiology. It looks at the next hierarchical level of phenotype and considers
how the proteome within and among cells cooperates to produce the biochemistry
and physiology of individual cells and organisms. This will ultimately lead to
the elucidation of the physiological dynamics of entire organisms. Peter Hoskins, adviser to World Life Sciences, commented: "It is difficult to
accurately predict what might ultimately be achievable using these "omic"
disciplines. However, what can be said with confidence is that, huge amounts
of data are already being generated and that this volume of information is
likely to growth at an exponential rate. Indeed, in this post-genomic area, we
have observed the rise of bioinformatics companies, which specialise in
developing analysis tools for storing, manipulating, and mining information;
as well as companies that look to provide a variety of comprehensive genomic
and proteomic databases. Nevertheless, in order to make sense of this myriad
of biological information, researchers will need to go far beyond existing
methodologies. Hence in the last year, we have seen the emergence of system
biology (also known as in silico biology and predictive biosimulation). In its
simplest terms, this involves doing biology in computers. This involve more
than just the use of databases or algorithms, it requires complex modelling
software that simulates the biological interactions that occur within an
organism and allows the user to conduct virtual experiments. It is likely to
be at least another decade before the ultimate goal of being able to create a
virtual human being becomes reality. The implications of being able to develop such systems are phenomenal. A
computer that could accurately mimic the reactions that occurred in human
organs or even better, an entire person would allow researchers to test new
therapies, in much the same way as engineers "fly" new aircraft designs or
conduct oil rig safety studies using super computers."
Peter Hoskins continued to say: "Pharmaceutical companies cannot afford to
ignore the potential of using computer systems to study drug interactions. At
present the industry is facing numerous challenges to sustain growth in
shareholder value, including; declining R&D productivity; increased reliance
on blockbusters; increased therapeutic competition and more drugs coming off
patent. On average, a drug can cost $600m to develop and take 12-15 years to
develop. Yet despite the advances in technology the attrition rate for drugs
entering human clinical trials is still 70-75%. Thus, the use of computer
simulations of living systems could allow drug developers to cut costs and
save development time."
For further information contact: Peter Hoskins 020 7702 5544
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