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Vicor Technologies Signs Agreement with Genomic Solutions
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA — May 15, 2001 — VICOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., continues to make significant progress in our plans to discover, develop and commercialize new drugs for hypertension, obesity and cancer.
Vicor's scientist have signed a testing contract with Genomic Solutions, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI) to identify hibernation specific proteins using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy sequencing. These studies will enable Vicor Technologies to file provisional patents on novel hibernation-related proteins that may control the growth of cells, such as cancer cells, and suppression of appetite. Each of these proteins and polypeptides will provide the basis for novel drug development.
Our work at Genomic Solutions, Inc., involves the sample optimization in which 250 ug of each sample was individually focused on a 4-7 immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strip, and processed in the 2nd dimension by electrophoresis through a 10% homogeneous Duracryl large format SDS gel. 2nd dimension gels were fixed, stained with SyproRuby, and imaged using a Genomic solutionsProPic camera and UV light source. The 2DE patterns obtained for each sample are of excellent quality and protein loads are considered acceptable for further work. There are a few interesting differences that are consistent between the winter and summer samples in both whole serum and abumin fractions. The results of the 4-7 focusing indicate that 250-300ug of total protein may be used for sample optimization on the two other pI ranges. This week we will start testing pH ranges 3-6 and 6-9 in the next set of sample optimizations.
Vicor Technologies signed a testing contract with Calvert Laboratories (Scranton, PA) for the assessment of diet suppression in animals using the hibernation specific partially purified materials prepared by Dr. Anchin at the Vicor biochemistry laboratory in Paramus, NJ. These materials will be tested for their ability to reduce food intake and promote weight reduction. A detailed analysis of the diet consumption and effect on organ weights will be completed in a four-week period. Calvert Laboratories has expertise in animal testing for IND and NDA filings with the FDA. All the data collected under the contract with Vicor Technologies, Inc. will be done in a manner consistent with FDA requirements. These studies should be completed by June 10, 2001.
Dr. Nick Carins, President and CEO of Combinix, Inc. a San Mateo, California based company devoted to the chemical synthesis of small drugs and active chemical agents, has joined the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Cairns will bring expertise to the Board in the area of small peptidiomimetic synthesis, an area important to the Vicor Technologies future in drug discovery and development.
Vicor's management team is currently having discussions with institutional investors. Several meetings will be taking place in June. Vicor believes the test results will be very positive which will generate significant interest in our proteins and peptides.