Proteome Systems and Iberica announce research collaboration on identifying biomarkers for the treatment of Osteoarthritis

Sydney, Australia and Kurume, Japan - 28 May 2003 – Proteome Systems Ltd and Iberica Co., today announced an agreement to collaborate on a proteomics and glycomics research program to analyse the proteoglycan changes associated with the progression and treatment of osteoarthritis. Proteoglycans are a major component of the cartilage in joints and contribute towards the lubrication of the articulating surface in the knee.

Dr Nicolle Packer, Executive VP Glycoproteomics, Proteome Systems, said  “The chronic inflammatory process seen in osteoarthritis results in the loss of cartilage matrix in over 80% of middle-aged individuals, causing severe musculoskeletal pain and disability.  The socio-economic consequences of osteoarthritis are considerable and are escalating as people live longer. We have the technology to be able to measure the effects of this process and to find markers which will enable us to detect and monitor disease progression/regression and response to treatment, earlier than is possible in the clinic today.”

“This program is part of an Iberica-Kurume Translational Research Center collaboration with Professor Kensei Nagata, M.D., Chief Director of Department of Orthopaedics, Kurume University, to find a biomarker which may be used for diagnosis and/or treatment of osteoarthritis” said Ms Misayo Abe, CEO, Iberica. “There is currently no available, accurate biochemical measure of the course, or treatment, of this widespread disease. Proteome Systems will conduct the proteomic research in their Sydney laboratories on patient samples provided by Iberica-Kurume.”

About Proteome Systems
Proteome Systems is a leading proteomics technology, diagnostics and discovery company. With its technology partners, Proteome Systems has developed and commercialised a comprehensive solution for high throughput proteomics, available as a total solutions package, ProteomIQä. These technologies are being extended into a new platform of glycomics analysis, GlycomIQä, which uses proprietary and sophisticated bioinformatics tools linked to its glycan structure database, GlycoSuiteDBä, to facilitate the analysis of the glycosylation on proteins. This technology has been validated in Proteome Systems’ discovery programs in the areas of cystic fibrosis, milk glycoproteomics and drug analysis. Proteome Systems has R&D and manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia and Boston, USA and a joint venture (Proteome Systems Japan) with Itochu Corporation in Tokyo, Japan and Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, USA (Charles River Proteomics Services Inc.). For further information on Proteome Systems, please visit www.proteomesystems.com

About Iberica Co.
Iberica Co. is a private clinical research consulting firm in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s largest city. Iberica has collaboratively established the Translational Research Center (TRC), located on the Kurume University campus, one of Japan’s oldest medical schools, in the city of Kurume. The mission of the TRC is to become a centre of excellence for multidisciplinary research in the clinical and biomedical fields.  The TRC will provide a wide range of services, e.g. research design consultation, clinical trials, proteomic analysis, and report writing services to both academic and private clients in the three research areas of pharmaco-proteomics, pharmaco-kinetics and biostatistics.

Contact
Kirsten Lodge
Corporate Communications
Proteome Systems
+(61) 2 8877 8913
kirsten.lodge@proteomesystems.com