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| |  New Gene Linked To Type II Diabetes CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 3, 1996 -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM) The September issue of Nature Genetics reports on the mapping of a gene which may be associated with the development of a form of adult-onset diabetes linked to low insulin secretion. The location of the gene, referred to as NIDDM2, was identified by an international research group including scientists from Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Whitehead Institute of Cambridge, MA, Lund University in Malmo, Sweden, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Helsinki University Hospital in Finland. Identification of the chromosomal location of this gene represents an important advance toward understanding the causes of human diabetes, and may ultimately contribute to the development of new drugs for the treatment or prevention of this common and complex disease. "We are very pleased to have participated in this important advancement of knowledge in this area," commented Jeffrey Thomas, MD., Ph.D., Millennium's Project Leader for Human Diabetes Genetics. "Millennium's major role in the project was to use our automated, high throughput genotyping capabilities to rapidly complete the large number of genotypes required to determine the chromosomal location of the gene," he added. The Nature Genetics paper by Mahtani et al, "Mapping of a Gene for Type 2 Diabetes Associated with an Insulin Secretion Defect by a Genome Scan in Finnish Families", describes data from screening of more than 4,000 individuals from an area in western Finland known as the Botnia region. The study ultimately involved 26 families, comprising 217 individuals including 120 diabetic patients. Criteria for participation in the study included the existence of a minimum of three affected family members, including one patient who developed diabetes before age 60 and a second before age 65. By performing a complete genome scan on the 217 subjects, the research team was able to determine the chromosomal location of the genes linked to the disease. The gene or genes located by the study on chromosome 12 have been specifically linked to defects in insulin secretion that may be important in the development of type II diabetes. "Genetic studies in isolated populations are more likely to reveal subtle genetic effects, and the Botnian population is much less heterogeneous than other populations analyzed in prior genetic studies of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)," noted Geoffrey Duyk, MD, Ph.D. and Vice President of Genomics at Millennium. "Of particular interest to Millennium was the observation that the NIDDM2 gene may also cause MODY3, a rare form of NIDDM that can affect children. Confirmation of this finding will be very exciting, in part because it will validate the idea that research on rare forms of common diseases, such as our research on MODY3, can generate potentially broad benefits," he continued. Type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) affects more than 100 million people worldwide. It is caused by the failure to make enough insulin to control blood-sugar levels and/or a failure to respond normally to insulin. When left untreated, it may cause serious medical complications and lead to an early death. Type II diabetes costs an estimated $85 billion a year in health care in the United Slates alone and is a major cause of death. Type II diabetes is the subject of a strategic alliance between Millennium and Hoffmann-La Roche. Millennium employs large-scale genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics in an integrated, broad-based drug discovery program applicable to all major human diseases. Independently and in strategic alliances with leading pharmaceutical companies, the Company has focused its research efforts on identifying and elucidating the function of genes responsible for diseases that affect millions of individuals and are underserved by current therapeutic alternatives. These diseases include obesity, type II diabetes, atherosclerosis, asthma, cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. The Company's principal objective is to use its drug discovery platform to enable and accelerate the discovery and development of new, proprietary therapeutic and diagnostic products capable of addressing these diseases at their root causes, rather than simply identifying and treating their symptoms. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Millennium currently employs over 200 people. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in detail under "Risk Factors" in the May 6, 1996 prospectus covering the initial public offering of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stock which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which "Risk Factors" are incorporated herein by reference.
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