If this is not your name, click here.
| | If this is not your name, click here. | | |
| | Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague | | |
| |  Research to Identify Genes That Cause Alzheimer Disease MONTREAL, Oct. 23, 1996 -- Algene Biotechnologies Corporation (ME - AGN.B) announces that it has signed an agreement with the Centre hospitalier Cte-des-Neiges, a geriatric centre affiliated to the University of Montreal, for a research contract pertaining to the identification of genes that cause Alzheimer disease. This contract is for a total amount of CAN $5.3 million and aims at the identification of genes and genetic mutations responsible for Alzheimer disease (genetic cloning and sequencing). The research will be carried out in two stages which could last until December 31, 1997, the second stage being at Algene's option. According to Dr Denis Gauvreau, President and CEO of Algene, "The identification of causal genes in Alzheimer disease will favour the development of an efficient genetic diagnostic kit which will serve to diagnose the disease by direct detection of its causal components. This test will help to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage and consequently physicians will be able to intervene more rapidly with the therapeutic tools, increasing their chances of success with medical interventions." Alzheimer disease is one of the most important disorders affecting the elderly, with 4 million people affected in the United States alone, resulting in 100,000 deaths per year. Between 5% and 8% of people aged over 65 are affected by this disease which causes family problems and costs over US $100 billion per year in the United States. "Alzheimer disease is a complex disorder and the results announced recently by Algene in connection with the identification of its genetic causes are very encouraging. We are developing novel methods which we intend to apply to other complex diseases," said Dr Gauvreau. According to a recent Decision Resources' report, dated July 1996, the Federal Bureau of Census estimates that the U.S. population by the year 2020 will include 53.3 million persons aged 65 and over, representing one out of every six persons. No treatment currently exists for Alzheimer disease. By 2009, sales of drugs for treating Alzheimer disease are projected to reach US $560 million. Algene Biotechnologies Corporation is active in the field of biomedical genetics as applied to the treatment of human diseases. Besides Alzheimer disease, research and development activities currently focus on genes that cause schizophrenia, migraine and Parkinson disease. The Class B Subordinate Shares of Algene are listed on the Montreal Exchange under the symbol AGN.B.
|
