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AMERICAN BIOGENETIC
SCIENCES AND TREVIGEN HAVE GENERATED A NEW WAY TO
MEASURE DNA DAMAGE
The
Companies Expand Monoclonal Antibody Collaboration
To Low Immunoreactivity Antigens For Use In DNA Damage
And Repair
Copiague,
New York - May 4, 2000 - American Biogenetic Sciences,
Inc. (ABS) (OTCBB:MABA) and Trevigen, Inc. have jointly
generated a new way to measure DNA damage. The companies
have also expanded an agreement to jointly create
new monoclonal antibodies for use in the development
of drugs for the control of DNA damage.
The
collaboration will combine the resources of ABS's
patented antigen free technology for producing highly
specific monoclonal antibodies with Trevigen's expertise
in DNA damage and repair. The arrangement expands
an ongoing relationship between the two companies
which is focused on the genetic causes of, and treatments
for cancer and aging. The program has already generated
a valuable new way to measure DNA damage. When fully
developed, the test will be sold by Trevigen to biomedical
researchers involved in research on DNA damage and
repair. ABS will receive a royalty on all commercial
products developed from this collaboration as well
as maintaining manufacturing rights for the antibodies.
Producing
highly specific monoclonal antibodies to DNA adducts
is especially difficult because the antigen itself
is so similar to normal DNA. Utilizing the ABS patented
antigen free system permits antibody production to
antigens of demonstrated low immunogenicity.
"We are extremely pleased with the results we have
gotten thus far using the ABS antigen free technology.
They have essentially created a specific antibody
against 'SELF'," said Michael T. Elliott, President
of Trevigen. "This type of capability will be essential
as researchers seek solutions for major medical concerns
such as aging and cancer, where damage to DNA and
the cells ability to repair this damage underlie a
multitude of medical problems. We believe we have
an important role to play at Trevigen, as the pivotal
role of the genetic component in human disease becomes
better understood."
"Our successful generation of such a difficult to
produce monoclonal antibody for Trevigen is further
evidence of the importance of our antigen free technology,"
said John S. North, President and CEO of ABS. "As
the frontiers of genomic research are expanded, we
believe this technology will be invaluable to both
researchers and pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.
This collaboration with Trevigen is a tangible expression
of our technologies' promise."
About
American Biogenetic Sciences, Inc.
American Biogenetic Sciences, Inc., based in Copiague,
N.Y., researches and develops diagnostic tests for
cardio-pulmonary conditions and infectious diseases,
as well as new treatments for neurological disorders
including epilepsy, migraine, mania, Parkinson's disease
and Alzheimer's disease. ABS also seeks out new technologies
and conducts research and development through its
Global Scientific Network in the United States, Europe,
Israel, Russia and China.
Trevigen,
Inc.
Trevigen, Inc., based in Gaithersburg, M.D., develops
and produces state of the art products for biomedical
research involving DNA damage and repair. The company
has also patented and is developing MIDASTM,
an advanced technology based on DNA mismatch repair
enzymes for the detection of mutations in DNA. With
MIDAS, researchers will be able to identify the DNA
mutations responsible for a host of gene linked diseases
more quickly and accurately than with competing technology,
yet without the expense of exhaustive DNA sequencing.
Trevigen is the recipient of multiple US government
research grant awards involving DNA damage and repair
and has developed and markets over 300 products for
cancer, aging and related biomedical research on a
world-wide basis.
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical
are "forward looking" statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, and should be considered as subject to various
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated. For further
details and a discussion of these risks and uncertainties,
see the Companys' Securities and Exchange Commission
filings including its annual report on Form 10-K
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