Incyte and Galapagos Announce Functional Genomics Collaboration

PALO ALTO, Calif., and LEIDEN, The Netherlands, Nov. 14, 2000 -- Incyte Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INCY - news), the leading genomic information company, and Galapagos Genomics NV, the functional genomics joint venture between Crucell NV (Nasdaq: CRXL - news) and Tibotec NV, today announced a collaboration in which the two companies will work together to conduct functional genomics studies on full-length genes from Incyte's LifeSeq® Gold database. Nineteen of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies subscribe to LifeSeq Gold, the industry leading database of the expressed human genome. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the agreement, Galapagos will generate a recombinant adenoviral library containing full-length genes selected from Incyte's LifeSeq Gold collection for use in discovering and validating gene function. Galapagos has developed the PhenoSelect(TM) platform, a proprietary arrayed adenoviral system, to efficiently over-express human genes in many cell types. Alterations in cellular function induced by the over-expression of a single gene can reveal information useful for understanding disease processes and identifying or validating drug targets. Incyte's database subscribers will have the ability to access the PhenoSelect platform, adenovirus reagents, and the resulting data, for use in their target discovery programs.
The full-length genes nominated for this collaboration will complement Incyte's existing functional genomics gene expression program. Incyte is developing in-depth expression data for use in target discovery and validation in several key therapeutic areas. As such, the Galapagos collaboration is an integral part of Incyte's comprehensive functional genomics program for the life sciences community.
``We are pleased to collaborate with Galapagos Genomics, and build on the investment we have made in creating our extensive collection of full-length genes,'' said Roy A. Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer of Incyte. ``The technology platform that Galapagos has developed will provide Incyte with an excellent tool for rapidly validating gene function. This collaboration is consistent with our strategy to provide broad access to our genomic data and technologies in a variety of formats for use in expression studies.''
``This collaboration will show the potential of our PhenoSelect platform for target discovery and validation,'' said Onno van de Stolpe, Galapagos' Managing Director. ``By combining Incyte's human gene collection with our adenoviral technology, we will create a library that will yield a variety of drug targets and therapeutic proteins for applications in many fields. This alliance with Incyte fits well in our strategy to offer the fastest gene-to-function technology and provide expedited gene discovery and validation tools to our customers.''
Galapagos Genomics is a privately held company headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium. The Company was established in 1999 as a joint venture between Crucell NV, and Tibotec NV. The Company has built a functional genomics platform using arrayed adenoviral vectors containing human genes to identify drug targets and therapeutic genes. Galapagos technology is based on Crucell's patented PER.C6 human cell line expression platform. Galapagos has an exclusive licence to use PER.C6 for functional genomics applications. It's PhenoSelect libraries are in a format that enable high-throughput screening using cellular assays. The Company currently employs 54 people, of which 15 are Ph.D.'s, and occupies an 11,000 sq.f. research and production facility in Mechelen, with additional research laboratories in Leiden, The Netherlands. For more information, visit Galapagos' web site at http://www.galapagosgenomics.com.
Incyte Genomics, Inc. is the leading provider of an integrated platform of genomic technologies designed to aid in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Incyte develops and markets genomic databases and partnership programs, genomic data management software, microarray-based gene expression services, related reagents and services. These products, programs and services assist pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers with all phases of drug discovery and development including gene discovery, understanding disease pathways, identifying new disease targets and the discovery and correlation of gene sequence variation to disease. For more information, visit Incyte's web site at http://www.incyte.com .
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to the ability of Galapagos to generate adenoviral libraries, and the use of adenoviral libraries to discover and validate gene function, to understand disease processes, and to identify and validate drug targets, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the ``safe harbor'' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the ability to meet production requirements; the impact of technological advances and competition; and other risks detailed from time to time in Incyte's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.