Indianapolis, Indiana and
Richmond, California
February 12, 2008
Dow AgroSciences LLC and
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) today announced the
successful completion of a key research milestone as part of
their joint Research and Commercial License Agreement. This
milestone represents the successful application of Sangamo's
zinc finger DNA-binding protein nuclease (ZFN(TM)) technology in
precision genome editing of a native plant gene with the aim of
improving a valuable trait in canola, a crop central to Dow
AgroSciences' business.
"It is my pleasure to announce we have achieved another
significant milestone in the validation of zinc finger protein
capabilities in plants," stated Jerome Peribere, the president
and CEO of Dow AgroSciences, during his presentation at the
Goldman Sachs Twelfth Annual Agricultural Biotech Forum. "We
have demonstrated the robust utility and flexibility of the
Sangamo technology in precision editing of a native plant gene,
confirming the power of zinc finger proteins to accomplish
specific and targeted modifications of the plant's own genetic
sequence. The technology shows potential to enable the delivery
of 'designer' crops into new and existing markets."
The milestone is the first demonstration of the precise
modification of the DNA sequence of an existing gene in canola
designed to generate an improved trait. This further
demonstrates the ability of ZFNs to act at their intended target
in crops of commercial importance.
"Sangamo's technology is revolutionizing scientists' ability to
modify genes in cells. The power of the ZFP platform is being
harnessed by Sangamo in therapeutics, our partner Sigma-Aldrich
in research reagents, and, as we heard today, by Dow
AgroSciences in plant agriculture to positively effect changes
in plant genomes at a speed, efficiency, and specificity which
heretofore was only considered a dream," said Edward Lanphier,
Sangamo's president and CEO. "Dow AgroSciences has the expertise
to implement our technology successfully into its precision
trait development program."
The three-year agreement initiated October 2005 provides Dow
AgroSciences with access to Sangamo's proprietary ZFP technology
for the development of products in plants and plant cell
cultures. During the initial three-year research term, Dow
AgroSciences has the option to obtain a commercial license to
sell products incorporating or derived from plant cells
generated using Sangamo's ZFP technology, including agricultural
crops, industrial products and plant-derived biopharmaceuticals.
Sangamo has also developed sequence-specific ZFNs for precision
gene modification and targeted gene insertion. These
technologies have the potential to play a major role in bringing
new discoveries in genomics forward to the marketplace. The use
of Sangamo's ZFP technology to enable the efficient and
reproducible generation of combinations or stacks of multiple
traits and the insertion of new traits could address increasing
demand.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is
a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of
science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly
improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences
provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and
vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural
biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global
sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow
Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion.
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. is focused on the research and
development of novel DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene
regulation and modification. The most advanced ZFP
Therapeutic(TM) development program is currently in Phase 2
clinical trials for evaluation of safety and clinical effect in
patients with diabetic neuropathy. Phase 1 clinical trials are
ongoing to evaluate a ZFP Therapeutic for peripheral artery
disease. Other therapeutic development programs are focused on
stem cell mobilization, ALS, cancer, HIV/AIDS, neuropathic pain,
nerve regeneration, Parkinson's disease and monogenic diseases.
Sangamo's core competencies enable the engineering of a class of
DNA-binding proteins known as zinc finger DNA-binding proteins
(ZFPs). By engineering ZFPs that recognize a specific DNA
sequence Sangamo has created ZFP transcription factors (ZFP
TF(TM)) that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell
function. Sangamo is also developing sequence-specific ZFP
Nucleases (ZFN(TM)) for gene modification. Sangamo has
established strategic partnerships with companies outside of the
human therapeutic space including Dow AgroSciences,
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation and several companies applying its ZFP
Technology to enhance the production of protein pharmaceuticals.
(TM)Trademark of Sangamo Biosciences, Inc.
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