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Evolva Subsidiary Signs $22.8 Million Antibacterial Contract with US Army
Research Office, Builds Out US Operations
19th May, 2008 Genetic Chemistry Inc. (Palo Alto, USA), a subsidiary of Evolva
SA (Basel, Switzerland) announced today that it has signed a contract with the
US Army Research Office (ARO), working in conjunction with the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA), to discover novel therapeutics against the gram
negative bacterial pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei (a CDC category B
bioterrorism agent that causes the disease melioidosis). Over the contract
period funding could amount to $22.8 million.
Under the contract Genetic Chemistry Inc (GCI) will use Evolva’s genetic
chemistry technologies to create and optimise compounds that inhibit various B.
pseudomallei targets and pathways, as well as the pathogen itself. GCI will
conduct this program in collaboration with the UK’s Defence Science & Technology
Laboratory, the University of Exeter and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Melya Hughes Crameri, CEO of Genetic Chemistry Inc. said: "Genetic Chemistry is
well positioned to leverage Evolva's genetic chemistry technologies for the
discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics. In meeting the
needs of ARO, the project will build a pipeline of compounds against B.
pseudomallei (which as well as being a potential bioterrorism agent is an
important pathogen in S.E. Asia). DSTL, Exeter and LANL are providing invaluable
knowledge of relevant targets and disease biology".
Pascal Longchamp, VP Business Development of Evolva, said: "The ARO contract
shows the applicability of our genetic chemistry technologies to a further
therapeutic area. The compounds we create may well have utility against other
bacterial pathogens. The addition of US research operations will play a crucial
role in the further development of Evolva and synergizes with our global biotech
model."
About Evolva.
Evolva uses genetic chemistry technology platforms to replicate, on an
industrial basis, the ability of nature to evolve molecules with exquisite
“design”. Evolva employs c. 65 people at locations in Switzerland, India, USA
and Denmark. Evolva expects to file IND equivalents on its two most advanced
compounds in late 2008 - one for cardiovascular/metabolic disease and one for
fungal diseases. For more information see www.evolva.com.
About the Army Research Office
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Army Research Office (ARO) mission is to
serve as the Army's premier extramural basic research agency in the engineering,
physical, information and life sciences. For further information see
www.aro.army.mil.
About the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
The mission of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency is to safeguard the
United States and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives or CBRNE) by
providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threat and mitigate
its effects.
For More Information on Burkholderia pseudomallei and melioidosis
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/melioidosis_gi.html
Contact Details
Melya Hughes Crameri. CEO, Genetic Chemistry
melyahc@geneticchemistry.com
Tel +1 650 543 8162
Pascal Longchamp, VP Business Development, Evolva
pascall@evolva.com
Tel +41 61 485 2010
Neil Goldsmith, CEO, Evolva
neilg@evolva.com
Tel +41 61 485 2005
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