Richmond, California
March 14,  2001

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) today announced that it has been granted a patent in the United Kingdom entitled "Regulation of Endogenous Gene Expression in Cells Using Zinc Finger Proteins." The patent includes claims covering the activation or repression of any endogenous gene in any cell type or organism using zinc finger DNA-binding proteins. Similar applications with similar claims have been filed in many countries throughout the world. 

"This is a landmark event for Sangamo and indicative of our commitment to building and extending our extensive zinc finger DNA-binding protein (ZFP) gene regulation intellectual property portfolio," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "Our pioneering research in the regulation of endogenous genes with engineered ZFP transcription factors is the basis for this patent. This fundamental patent, covering the regulation of any gene, in any cell type, in any organism, is representative of our technical and commercial leadership in this area." 

Zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs) are the dominant class of naturally occurring transcription factors in organisms from yeast to humans. Transcription factors, which are found in the nucleus of every cell, bind to DNA to regulate gene expression. Though there are many kinds of transcription factors, only zinc finger DNA-binding proteins are amenable to engineering and precise targeting to a particular gene or genes of interest. Since the over- expression or under-expression of individual genes is the basis for many diseases, the ability to regulate genes with engineered ZFPs has enormous potential therapeutic benefit. 

The inventions covered by U.K. patent GB 2,348,424 were made by Sangamo scientists. The patent describes methods for the activation or repression of endogenous genes, including human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a gene that plays a critical role in the formation of new blood vessels. Sangamo is currently investigating the use of ZFPs which activate VEGF as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. 

Sangamo is focused on the research and development of novel transcription factors for the regulation of gene expression. Sangamo's Universal Gene Recognition(TM) technology enables the engineering of transcription factors known as zinc finger DNA-binding proteins, or ZFPs. By engineering ZFPs so that they can recognize a specific gene, Sangamo has created ZFP transcription factors that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell function. The company intends to establish Universal Gene Recognition as a widely used technology for commercial applications in pharmaceutical discovery, human therapeutics, clinical diagnostics, agriculture and industrial biotechnology. Over twenty leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have utilized ZFPs. In addition, Sangamo is developing novel ZFP-based therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. For more information about Sangamo, visit the company's web site at www.sangamo.com.  

Company news release
N3388