Biotherapeutics

We estimate that approximately 25% of the genes in our Genome5000 program encode potential antibody targets or therapeutic proteins. While some of these genes are included in our drug discovery alliances with Genentech and Organon, approximately 750 additional genes are part of our internal biotherapeutics drug discovery pipeline. Each of the drug targets identified in our biotherapeutics program represent new biologic mechanisms with potentially significant therapeutic applications.

Our biotherapeutics program is strategically complemented by our proprietary gene knockout technology and physiological analysis capabilities. Immunization of knockout mice may enable novel antibody generation and facilitate proof-of-principle studies earlier in the antibody development process than otherwise possible. Further, our physiological analysis of gene function in knockout mice may indicate the therapeutic utility of the actual proteins encoded by those genes. We believe that the promising antibody targets and therapeutic proteins that we have identified have significant potential to treat major, unmet medical needs across a wide spectrum of diseases.