Fremont, California
September 21,  2001

Pangene Corporation announced the breakthrough development of robot automated gene cloning which captures cDNA, genomic (g)DNA, and gene family clones. All of these genes are isolated
without using PCR in the gene cloning process. Our new combination of robotics, magnetic separation, and Pangene's gene isolation technologies enables high throughput gene cloning of thousands of full-length genes per robotic unit. Pangene's automated solution of gene cloning echoes other automation innovations enabling mass production and high throughput. "We
created a Gene Gin(TM)," said Dr. Ron Caspi, Pangene's Head of Automation, who added, "Eli Whitney is best remembered as the inventor of the cotton gin, and it is often forgotten that he also fathered mass production methods. This was our inspiration to revolutionize gene isolation applications using high throughput, mass production, robotic gene cloning processes." Development of automated full-length gene isolation enables high throughput gene cloning applications including drug target discovery for target biovalidation, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicines.

Pangene's automated cloning technology uses DNA repair enzyme-mediated processes to capture homologous and/or nearly homologous DNA clones from complex DNA mixtures including cDNA and genomic gDNA. Dr. Chris Lehman, Head of Pangene's DirectGenomics service division explained, "this is an open format for gene cloning and enables the cloning of genes from any desired library, thus replacing the traditional, tedious, manual, and time consuming cloning of genes using lifts or library arrays. Furthermore, the resulting gene clones are captured in their native undenatured double-strand DNA state without thermal DNA denaturation or PCR DNA amplification induced artifacts." Pangene's cDNA gene libraries are contained in expression ready vectors designed for high throughput automated cloning. Pangene's unique gene cloning technology enables high throughput applications, including full length gene cloning from ESTs, cloning of related gene homologs, cloning interspecies gene homologs, cloning alternative gene splice forms, and cloning of genomic DNA fragments and SNPs for pharmacogenomic analysis.

The DirectGenomics division of Pangene Corporation provides homology-driven genomic services using DNA recombination and DNA damage repair enzymes as tools to enable high throughput gene cloning for both Pangene and outside clients. Pangene is a genomics-based pharmaceutical drug company that developed and uses DNA damage repair & recombination enzymes and pathways as a technology platform for the development of oncology drugs, genomic services, and out-licensing opportunities. Pangene has developed cancer therapeutics based on drugs regulating important DNA damage repair enzymes and their pathways to treat radiation or chemotherapy resistant tumors. Pangene also licenses applications of its platform DNA recombination and DNA repair technology in areas outside of therapeutics, including agriculture, protein pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. The company operates in state-of-the-art facilities with full capabilities for drug development and genomic services.
For more information about Pangene or DirectGenomics, visit our web sites at www.pangene.com  or www.DirectGenomics.com.

Company news release
N3820