Imgenex and Genzyme Molecular Oncology form Alliance

6 Feb 2001, San Diego, CA - Imgenex Corp. and Genzyme Molecular Oncology have formed an alliance aimed at developing new research reagents that could be useful for the study of angiogenesis.

Using the proprietary SAGE technology and other molecular biology tools, Genzyme Molecular Oncology and its collaborators at The Johns Hopkins University have discovered and begun characterizing a number of novel proteins associated specifically with tumour blood vessels. These markers may be useful in angiogenesis research related to cancer, cardiovascular or other diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genzyme Molecular Oncology will provide details of certain of these proteins to Imgenex, which will use its proprietary technology to develop monoclonal antibodies that recognize and potentially interfere with the function of the proteins.

"We are extremely pleased to enter into this relationship with Genzyme Molecular Oncology, an organization consistently demonstrating the highest scientific caliber and dedication to developing products designed to alleviate human disease," said Sujay K. Singh, Ph.D., president and CEO of Imgenex. "Such alliances allow Imgenex to contribute substantially to new human therapeutic development, while growing our business, and we welcome all such opportunities."

"Access to Imgenex's reagents will allow us to accelerate our research into the therapeutic potential of inhibiting these targets as well as the possibility of using them for targeting drug delivery to tumour vasculature," said Gail Maderis, president, Genzyme Molecular Oncology. "Further, we are pleased to have Imgenex as a supplier of reagents to broaden industry access to these unique markers and to facilitate research in the angiogenesis field."

About Imgenex
Imgenex Corp. develops and commercializes novel reagents for the scientific study of human biology and disease and for the production of new diagnostic assays and potential therapies of such diseases. These novel reagents include antibodies, gene and protein expression systems, and arrays of various cells and tissues for use in studies of functional genomics. Areas of biological interest at Imgenex include cancer, apoptosis (programmed cell death), molecular signaling pathways, cellular aging, and metabolic and infectious diseases.

Contact:
Imgenex Corp., San Diego
Sujay K. Singh, Ph.D. / Kerry M. Barnhart, Ph.D.
858/642-0978
ext. 22 / ext. 24
Fax: 858/642-0937
Toll free: 888/723-GENE (4363)
ssingh@imgenex.com / kbarnhart@imgenex.com