Asthma therapy alliance reaches two milestones
The genomics-based alliance between US biopharmaceutical company Genome Therapeutics and Schering-Plough to develop novel products for the treatment of asthma has reached two milestones. The research alliance recently advanced into high-throughput screening for potential drug candidates, and a second asthma susceptibility gene has been identified by Genome Therapeutics and delivered to Schering-Plough.
'This is a major step forward,' said Steven M. Rauscher, Genome Therapeutics' ceo and president. 'Identification of a second gene for asthma demonstrates the continued productivity of our approach.' The multi-year programme focuses on developing therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of asthma. Last December the sponsored research phase of the agreement was extended by 12 months.