Boehringer Ingelheim has successfully used the SilenceSelect gene knock-down platform to identify a number of genes that were shown to influence viral replication in human cells
Galapagos reports that Boehringer Ingelheim has successfully used Galapagos's SilenceSelect gene knock-down platform to identify a number of genes that were shown to influence viral replication in human cells.
Under the terms of an agreement made in October 2003, licensing of these potential targets will trigger a milestone payment to Galapagos.
The SilenceSelect collection is offered by Galádeno, Galapagos's genomics services unit.
The adenoviral collection contains siRNA knock-down sequences targeting over 4000 human drugable transcripts, where drugable represents those gene classes of most value for pharmaceutical development.
"We are very pleased with the results from the collaboration with Galapagos, and look forward to pursuing our studies on these potential antiviral targets" said Michael Cordingley, VP of research at Boehringer Ingelheim's virology research centre in Quebec, Canada.
"This collaboration proves that the SilenceSelect platform works not only in the hands of Galapagos, but performs equally as well in the hands of our customers.
"In addition, we are pleased this confirms that our approach is also applicable in infectious diseases," said Dirk Pollet, Galapagos's VP business development.
"Time after time, our target discovery platform delivers for our partners, opening significant opportunities for continued collaboration."
