EUROSCREEN RECEIVES KEY PATENT FOR PURINERGIC RECEPTOR

Euroscreen SA today announced that it was awarded a European patent that covers the use of a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) known as the human P2Y11 receptor. Euroscreens patent protects the sequence of P2Y11 receptor and the screening process using this receptor to find compounds that modulate its activity, and thus has significant pharmaceutical potential.

Brussels, Belgium (PRWEB) May 17, 2003 -protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) known as the human P2Y11 receptor. Euroscreens patent protects the sequence of P2Y11 receptor and the screening process using this receptor to find compounds that modulate its activity, and thus has significant pharmaceutical potential.

The P2Y11 receptor was cloned and characterized by Didier Communi as part of the team of Professor Jean-Marie Boeynaems at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHM) of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. This group has shown that the activation of the P2Y11 receptor leads to the differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells into neutrophil-like cells, suggesting that P2Y11 agonists might be used for the treatment of some forms of leukemia. In addition, its role in neutrophil maturation makes it a potential target for the treatment of neutropenia.

Commenting on the announcement, Pierre Nokin, President and CEO of Euroscreen, said: "This new European patent represents a significant addition to our growing portfolio of validated disease-related receptors. It will enable Euroscreen to generate revenues from companies wishing to use the human P2Y11 receptor in their search for innovative drugs, in the form of licence fees and milestones in the short term, and royalties on sales of any products generated in the longer term."

The EP patent (0 923 644B1) relates in particular to DNA and amino acid sequences of P2Y11 receptor, vectors comprising the DNA sequence, cells comprising the vector and screening methods to single out compounds that modulate the biological activity of the P2Y11 receptor. Screening methods using either membrane preparation or cell line expressing P2Y11 receptor are covered by valid claims.

Euroscreen is awaiting the issuance of equivalent patent applications in US, Japan and Canada, whose pending claims relate to similar subject matter.

For further information, please contact:

Euroscreen SA                   

Pierre Nokin, Ph.D.               
President and CEO                
Tel: +32 71 348 500               

Professor Marc Parmentier
CSO
Tel: +32 2 555 41 71

Al Gray, Ph.D.
Vice President, Business Development
Tel: +1 585 567 4400

About Euroscreen SA

Euroscreen is a world leader in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The Company integrates its research expertise in this area with its patented high-throughput AequoScreen cellular assay platform to patent new GPCR targets and drug candidates

The Company is building its own patent portfolio of GPCR targets and novel drug leads for licensing to biopharmaceutical companies, and to date has agreements with CyBio, Galapagos Genomics, ICOS, Merck & Co, Pfizer Inc, Solvay, Syngenta, UCB and EvotecOAI. Euroscreen has also established collaborations with numerous academic centres for access to licenses to help in making available its broad menu of GPCR-based products (recombinant cell lines and membrane preparations) and services (custom screening and cloning).

Euroscreen is a privately held company based in Brussels, Belgium. The Company was spun out of the University of Brussels in 1994 by Professors Jacques Dumont, Marc Parmentier and Gilbert Vassart and has since raised more than €8m in equity funding and grants. Euroscreen currently has 80 employees of which 50 are in R&D.

More information can be found at www.euroscreen.be