Antibodies and Therapeutic Proteins
We estimate that approximately 25% of the genes in our Genome5000^TM program encode potential antibody targets or therapeutic proteins.  While some of these genes are included in our drug discovery alliances with Genentech and Organon, approximately 750 additional genes are part of our internal biotherapeutics drug discovery pipeline.  Each of the drug targets identified in our biotherapeutics program represent new biologic mechanisms with potentially significant therapeutic applications.

Using Knockout Mice in Antibody Development
Our biotherapeutics program is strategically complemented by our proprietary gene knockout technology and physiological analysis capabilities.  When possible, we use knockout mice that lack the target protein as part of our antibody discovery platform.  By immunizing these knockouts with the protein they have been engineered to lack, a more robust antibody response can usually be obtained because the knockout’s immune system often responds to the target protein as completely foreign.  Thus, immunization of knockout mice may enable novel antibody generation and facilitate proof-of-principle studies earlier in the antibody development process than otherwise possible.  Further, our physiological analysis of gene function in knockout mice may indicate the therapeutic utility of the actual proteins encoded by those genes.  We believe the promising antibody targets and therapeutic proteins we have identified have significant potential to treat major, unmet medical needs across a wide spectrum of diseases.