Lexicon discovers role of LG688 protein in inflammation.

Lexicon Genetics, Inc. (The Woodlands, TX) has discovered a new role in the immune system for a secreted protein that may serve as a target for the development of drugs to treat inflammation associated with arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Lexicon said it has moved the protein into

Lexicon also announced that, as part of its ongoing drug discovery and development collaboration with Abgenix, Inc. Abgenix plans to develop antibodies to block Lexicon LG688 using Abgenix's XenoMouse technology.

"Lexicon's LG688 is the latest in our pipeline of innovative drug targets that we've discovered with our proprietary industrialized genetics technology," said Dr. Arthur Sands, Lexicon Genetics president and chief executive officer.

The discovery of Lexicon LG688 is another significant milestone in our invention of biotherapeutics that we intend to move through preclinical research into clinical trials and to market, either ourselves or with alliance partners," said Sands.

The secreted protein, named Lexicon LG688, was identified and validated in vivo in Lexicon's industrialized gene knockout program in which mice lacking specific genes are associated with important medical profiles. Lexicon LG688 is one of 14 targets the company has advanced into drug discovery programs, covering five therapeutic areas in which Lexicon is working to develop new pharmaceutical products. Lexicon's five therapeutic areas are cardiology, endocrinology-metabolism, immunology, neurology and oncology.

Lexicon scientists report a 50% decrease in the inflammatory response of knockout mice lacking Lexicon LG688. Aside from the marked decrease in the inflammatory response, they report the mice lacking Lexicon LG688 exhibit no significant side effects.

Lexicon is focused on knockout mouse physiology because of its direct relevance to human physiology and its medical relevance in the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical products for the treatment of human disease.

"There is a significant, unmet medical need for more effective drugs to treat inflammation and autoimmune disorders," said Sands.

"Inflammatory diseases are particularly serious in an aging population where degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis cause chronic pain," he said.

Inflammation is a form of immune response in which the body reacts to an infection, irritation or other injury. In some cases, inflammation can result from the immune system attacking normal tissue or organs. Sales of drugs that suppress inflammation or inhibit the immune system are estimated to total more than $10 billion.

Lexicon is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery of breakthrough treatments for human disease. Lexicon is using gene knockout technology to systematically discover the physiological functions and medical uses of genes. The company's gene function discoveries fuel therapeutic discovery programs in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, immune disorders, neurological disease and cancer. Lexicon has established drug discovery alliances and functional genomics collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutes and academic institutions throughout the world to commercialize its technology and further develop its discoveries.

Lexicon Genetics, Inc.
+1-281-863-3000
www.lexicon-genetics.com