ARTEMIS Announces Publication on a Novel RNAi-based Approach for Inducible and Reversible Gene Knockdown in Transgenic Mice

Press Release, March 22., 2007

Cologne -- ARTEMIS Pharmaceuticals (Cologne, Germany) today announced the publication of a novel method for inducible and reversible gene knockdown based on RNA interference (RNAi) through the expression of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) in transgenic mice. In combination with the proprietary ArteMice™Speed technology it provides a new dimension for in vivo gene function analysis. The scientific results were obtained at ARTEMIS in collaboration with scientists from the Universities of Cologne and Gelsenkirchen . They have now been published in the peer-reviewed journal Nucleic Acids Research (Jost Seibler et al, "Reversible gene knockdown in mice using a tight, inducible shRNA expression system", Nucleic Acids Research, March 2007; doi:10.1093/nar/gkm122).

The application of this novel RNAi-based methodology for the targeted gene knockdown in transgenic mice can be presently considered the most powerful approach for the in vivo analysis of gene function in basic and pharmaceutical research. ARTEMIS is the first company to have developed a robust methodology for the controlled induction of shRNA based gene knock down in adult mice. This inducible system permits the functional down-regulation of a selected target gene and its subsequent up-regulation. The generation time for such a mouse model at ARTEMIS is only four months. Due to the high level of efficiency of the methodology it is now possible to analyse the function of a large number of genes within a limited time frame, e.g. a couple of months.The technology can also be used for the generation of specifically designed, novel transgenic murine disease models.

About ARTEMIS

Artemis Pharmaceuticals has developed the worldwide leading portfolio of scientific and technological tools in murine molecular genetics and -functional genomics. It offers custom-made genetically engineered mouse models for use at various stages of the industrial drug discovery process or for academic research. Artemis customers include the majority of the leading pharmaceutical companies as well as biotech firms and many Academic Research Institutions worldwide. Artemis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelixis, Inc., South San Francisco, USA (Nasdaq:EXEL) since 2001.

For further information please contact

Dr. Jost Seibler
Tel: +49(0)221-96453-0
Mail:j.seibler (at) artemispharma.de

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