Genetic Technology News presents the latest R&D developments and advances
with an emphasis on opportunities to profit in the explosive field of genetic
technology through technology transfer, joint ventures, and acquisitions. The
complete gamut of genetic technology applications is covered including the
latest developments in genomics; AIDS, cancer, and other genetic therapies;
genetically altered animals and plants; viral insecticides, biopolymers and
biomaterials; and vaccines.
Each concise briefing, based on interviews with the primary sources
themselves, provides:
* A clear explanation of the new development, including intended
applications.
* An evaluation of the profit potential of the development as well as
potential barriers to commercialization.
* Details on available patents and licenses as well as partnership and
joint venturing opportunities.
* Name, address, e-mail, fax, and phone contact information of the
researchers on the leading edge of genetic technology.
Regular monthly features include a Market Forecast, Strategic Partners
Report, and Patent Update.
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Sample Briefing
MAHOGANY GENE CONTROLS DIET-INDUCED OBESITY
The six obesity genes discovered so far are linked to genetically induced
obesity. Now researchers at Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. have cloned the
mahogany gene (mg) and its protein product (MG) and found that the gene can
suppress diet-induced obesity in mice ("Nature" 398: 152-156). The MG
protein may provide a target for a small-molecule obesity drug for obesity
caused simply by overeating.
Mice with mutated mg genes maintain a healthy weight whether they eat a
high-fat (42% fat) or low-fat (9% fat) diet with the same amount of calories.
Mice with normal mg genes gain excess weight on the high-fat diet.
This type of obesity is different from genetically induced obesity in which mice
gain weight even when fed a normal diet. Genes known to be associated with
inherited obesity in mice are obese (ob), diabetes (db), tubby (tub), fat (fat),
and agouti-yellow (Ay).
Independent of the Millennium researchers, a team headed by Gregory Barsh of
Stanford University School of Medicine identified the mahogany gene and found
that its protein product is a large (1428 amino acids) transmembrane protein.
The extracellular portion of the protein is similar to human attractin. Only
recently identified, this protein is a circulating molecule produced by
activated T cells. It appears to be involved in immune-cell interactions.
Millennium's discovery came out of a program supported by Hoffmann-La Roche
(Basel, Switzerland/Nutley, NJ) to find genes associated with obesity and type
II diabetes.
GTN recently estimated that the potential annual US market for all types of
antiobesity therapeutics is nearly $5 billion (GTN, 2/12/99). Therapeutics based
on the six previously discovered obesity genes have promise only for treating
inherited obesity. However, this type of obesity only affects about 10% of the
50 million or so overweight people in the United States. While it seems unlikely
that a safe medication will ever be available to allow people to overeat
continually and not gain weight, the mahogany gene discovery does open up the
possibility of a drug that might help the 90% of the people who are obese only
because they overeat.
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