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Aventis and Avalon Form Oncology Collaboration
Avalon to utilize molecular cytogenetics to identify and validate oncology
targets
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., and GERMANTOWN, Md., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Aventis and Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., have entered into an agreement to
collaborate on the identification, discovery and validation of drugable
screening targets. As part of the agreement, Avalon will provide Aventis with a
subset of its library of more than 200 identified amplicons (regions of
chromosomal amplification) that have been discovered through cytogenetic
analysis. Through further analysis of these amplicons, the two companies will
then jointly seek to validate oncology targets.
"We have been extremely impressed with Avalon's molecular cytogenetics platform
and the quality of their scientists," said Thierry Hercend, Ph.D., head of
Aventis oncology research. "Through this alliance with Avalon, Aventis hopes to
generate innovative drugs targeting amplified oncogenes, a promising class of
cancer drug targets."
"We are excited about this agreement, which allows us to advance our cancer
target initiative to the next stage of discovery," said Ken Carter, Ph.D.,
President and CEO of Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Aventis has demonstrated a
strong commitment to the oncology field and shares our commitment to bring
better cancer treatments to market faster through the smarter use of innovative
genomics technologies."
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About molecular cytogenetic analysis in Oncology
Molecular cytogenetic analysis is a genome-wide scanning technique that
universally detects the genetic rearrangements that occur in cancer cells.
Avalon's amplified oncogene discovery program has used high-resolution molecular
cytogenetics to generate a proprietary database of cytogenetic amplifications.
Amplified oncogenes in human cancer can then be rapidly identified by
integrating this database with whole-genome gene expression analysis. Amplified
oncogenes represent a class of proteins that are directly related to
oncogenesis, and that have been validated within the context of human disease.
Since cancer cells are known to show particular vulnerability to the disruption
of these dominant oncogenic pathways, amplicons represent high-quality targets
for drug development.
About Aventis
Aventis is dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovering and
developing innovative prescription drugs and human vaccines. In 2002, Aventis
generated sales of euros 17.6 billion, invested euros 3.1 billion in research
and development and employed approximately 71,000 people in its core business.
Aventis corporate headquarters are in Strasbourg, France, with U.S. headquarters
in Bridgewater, N.J. For more information, please visit: http://www.aventis.com/
or http://www.aventispharma-us.com/
About Avalon Pharmaceuticals
Avalon Pharmaceuticals utilizes unique and proprietary forward chemical
genomics-based methods to accelerate the discovery of novel targets and drugs.
Avalon's unique capabilities in cytogenetics and gene expression analysis allow
Avalon to rapidly discover and validate novel oncology targets. For the
discovery of small molecules Avalon utilizes a comprehensive systems approach,
enabling more informed decisions at earlier stages in the drug discovery
process. These innovative techniques allow for the rapid identification of lead
compounds through an enriched understanding of the mechanism of action within
diseased cells, leading to accelerated medicinal chemistry driven lead
optimization programs and clinical development. This revolutionary systems
approach is applicable across multiple disease areas. Currently, Avalon is
focusing its efforts to produce the next generation of cancer medicines. Avalon
Pharmaceuticals was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Germantown,
Maryland.
For more information please visit http://www.avalonrx.com/.
For Avalon: This press release includes forward-looking statements based on
Avalon's management's current expectations. Factors that could cause future
results to differ materially from such expectations include, but are not limited
to: the ability to secure future funding; the success of the Companies'
research strategies; the applicability of the discoveries made therein; the
difficulties inherent in the development of pharmaceuticals, including
uncertainties as to the timing and results of preclinical studies; delayed
achievements of milestones; reliance on collaborators; uncertainty as to whether
the Companies' potential products will succeed in entering human clinical trials
and uncertainty as to the results of such trials; uncertainty as to whether
adequate reimbursement for these products will exist from the government,
private healthcare insurers and third-party payors; and the uncertainties as to
the extent of future government regulation of the pharmaceutical business.
For Aventis: Statements in this news release containing projections or
estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital
structure, or other financial items; plans and objectives relating to future
operations, products, or services; future economic performance; or assumptions
underlying or relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements
subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially
depending on factors such as the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the
results of clinical trials, the company's relative success developing and
gaining market acceptance for new products, the outcome of significant
litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information
regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on
Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in
the current Annual Report -- "Document de Reference" -- on file with the
"Commission des Operations de Bourse" in France, recently renamed "Autorite des
marches financiers."
Aventis contact: Avalon contact:
Kara Smith-Russell Kenneth Carter, Ph. D.
DI&A Communications Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 908 231 4490 Tel: +1 301 556 9810
Fax: +1 301 556 9910
DATASOURCE: Aventis; Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Kara Smith-Russell of DI&A Communications, +1-908-231-4490,
, for Aventis; or Kenneth Carter, Ph. D., Chief
Executive Officer of Avalon, +1-301-556-9810, fax, +1-301-556-9910
Web site: http://www.avalonrx.com/
http://www.aventis.com/
http://www.aventispharma-us.com/