Aventis and Avalon Form Oncology Collaboration
December 17 2003 - 11:20AM
PR Newswire (US)
Aventis and Avalon Form Oncology Collaboration Avalon to utilize
molecular cytogenetics to identify and validate oncology targets
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., and GERMANTOWN, Md., Dec. 17
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aventis and Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the
identification, discovery and validation of drugable screening
targets. As part of the agreement, Avalon will provide Aventis with
a subset of its library of more than 200 identified amplicons
(regions of chromosomal amplification) that have been discovered
through cytogenetic analysis. Through further analysis of these
amplicons, the two companies will then jointly seek to validate
oncology targets. "We have been extremely impressed with Avalon's
molecular cytogenetics platform and the quality of their
scientists," said Thierry Hercend, Ph.D., head of Aventis oncology
research. "Through this alliance with Avalon, Aventis hopes to
generate innovative drugs targeting amplified oncogenes, a
promising class of cancer drug targets." "We are excited about this
agreement, which allows us to advance our cancer target initiative
to the next stage of discovery," said Ken Carter, Ph.D., President
and CEO of Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Aventis has demonstrated a
strong commitment to the oncology field and shares our commitment
to bring better cancer treatments to market faster through the
smarter use of innovative genomics technologies." Financial terms
of the agreement were not disclosed. About molecular cytogenetic
analysis in Oncology Molecular cytogenetic analysis is a
genome-wide scanning technique that universally detects the genetic
rearrangements that occur in cancer cells. Avalon's amplified
oncogene discovery program has used high-resolution molecular
cytogenetics to generate a proprietary database of cytogenetic
amplifications. Amplified oncogenes in human cancer can then be
rapidly identified by integrating this database with whole-genome
gene expression analysis. Amplified oncogenes represent a class of
proteins that are directly related to oncogenesis, and that have
been validated within the context of human disease. Since cancer
cells are known to show particular vulnerability to the disruption
of these dominant oncogenic pathways, amplicons represent
high-quality targets for drug development. About Aventis Aventis is
dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovering and
developing innovative prescription drugs and human vaccines. In
2002, Aventis generated sales of euros 17.6 billion, invested euros
3.1 billion in research and development and employed approximately
71,000 people in its core business. Aventis corporate headquarters
are in Strasbourg, France, with U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater,
N.J. For more information, please visit: http://www.aventis.com/ or
http://www.aventispharma-us.com/ About Avalon Pharmaceuticals
Avalon Pharmaceuticals utilizes unique and proprietary forward
chemical genomics-based methods to accelerate the discovery of
novel targets and drugs. Avalon's unique capabilities in
cytogenetics and gene expression analysis allow Avalon to rapidly
discover and validate novel oncology targets. For the discovery of
small molecules Avalon utilizes a comprehensive systems approach,
enabling more informed decisions at earlier stages in the drug
discovery process. These innovative techniques allow for the rapid
identification of lead compounds through an enriched understanding
of the mechanism of action within diseased cells, leading to
accelerated medicinal chemistry driven lead optimization programs
and clinical development. This revolutionary systems approach is
applicable across multiple disease areas. Currently, Avalon is
focusing its efforts to produce the next generation of cancer
medicines. Avalon Pharmaceuticals was established in 1999 and is
headquartered in Germantown, Maryland. For more information please
visit http://www.avalonrx.com/. For Avalon: This press release
includes forward-looking statements based on Avalon's management's
current expectations. Factors that could cause future results to
differ materially from such expectations include, but are not
limited to: the ability to secure future funding; the success of
the Companies' research strategies; the applicability of the
discoveries made therein; the difficulties inherent in the
development of pharmaceuticals, including uncertainties as to the
timing and results of preclinical studies; delayed achievements of
milestones; reliance on collaborators; uncertainty as to whether
the Companies' potential products will succeed in entering human
clinical trials and uncertainty as to the results of such trials;
uncertainty as to whether adequate reimbursement for these products
will exist from the government, private healthcare insurers and
third-party payors; and the uncertainties as to the extent of
future government regulation of the pharmaceutical business. For
Aventis: Statements in this news release containing projections or
estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital
expenditures, capital structure, or other financial items; plans
and objectives relating to future operations, products, or
services; future economic performance; or assumptions underlying or
relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements
subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ
materially depending on factors such as the timing and effects of
regulatory actions, the results of clinical trials, the company's
relative success developing and gaining market acceptance for new
products, the outcome of significant litigation, and the
effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information
regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current
Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and in the current Annual Report --
"Document de Reference" -- on file with the "Commission des
Operations de Bourse" in France, recently renamed "Autorite des
marches financiers." Aventis contact: Avalon contact: Kara
Smith-Russell Kenneth Carter, Ph. D. DI&A Communications Chief
Executive Officer Tel: +1 908 231 4490 Tel: +1 301 556 9810 Fax: +1
301 556 9910 DATASOURCE: Aventis; Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Kara Smith-Russell of DI&A Communications,
+1-908-231-4490, , for Aventis; or Kenneth Carter, Ph. D., Chief
Executive Officer of Avalon, +1-301-556-9810, fax, +1-301-556-9910
Web site: http://www.avalonrx.com/ http://www.aventis.com/
http://www.aventispharma-us.com/
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