[Picture Description] Green Flourescent Protein has been knocked out by siRNA in siRNA Array System
A: Cells generating Flourescent
B: siRNA Spot image
C: Nucleus in dye
D: A+B+ C

October 26, 2009, Seoul, S. Korea - Institut Pasteur Korea(CEO: Ulf Nehrbass, www.ip-korea.org) and Asan Institute for Life Science (Head: Koh Jae-young, www.asanscience.re.kr) recently entered into joint research collaboration to discover and develop new drugs and targets in the field of cancer, which is expected to proactively prepare for the era of personalized healthcare based on human genetics.

Generally, cancer patients with the same apparent type of cancer and the same prescribed drug(s) have a wide range of differences in personal treatment efficacy. This may be due to genetic differences from one individual to another. Under the circumstances, personalized diagnosis to identify specific factors responsible for individual cancers will provide guidelines for improved and proper treatment. Currently, this concept is of great interest for the next generation of personalized healthcare in cancer.

In this agreement, Asan Institute for Life Science will provide patients-derived cancer cell samples with clinical information (i.e. age, gender, phase) and Institut Pasteur Korea will conduct research using its PhenomicIDTM technology to discover new anti-cancer target genes involved in survival and propagation of patient cancer cells. This involves visualized ‘human genome-wide siRNA screening’. In particular, the project is aiming at not only leveraging the previously known anti-cancer genes, but identifying new anti-cancer targets. It will involve the determination of cellular function and anti-cancer mechanism of the discovered anti-cancer genes.

Ulf Nehrbass, CEO of Institut Pasteur Korea said, “This research collaboration is one of the first project in Korea which aims at identifying new anti-cancer targets with samples of Korean cancer patients” He added, “Institut Pasteur Korea’s PhenomicIDTM technology will help provide keys to the proper treatment guideline for cancer patients.”

Dr. Jang Se-jin, Pathology of Asan Institute for Life Science said, “The discovery of the generic factors and the proper treatment for patients will increase the therapeutic and economical efficacy. This project is expected to become a footstone of the coming personalized healthcare for Koreans”

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○ Personalized Healthcare in Cancer Patients
The treatment efficacy of patients with the same cancer can appear differently in races and regions. Koreans with the same cancer show the individual variations depending on age and gender. In even a patient, the characteristics can be different because of the phase and the place of the event. The reason of the individual differences is attributed to the gene information. By discovering the individual generic factor and leveraging to the treatment, more effective personalized cancer treatment can come true.

○ About ‘Human Genome Wide siRNA Screening’
‘Human genome-wide siRNA screening’ is the gene-based drug discovery technology to help the disease treatment by controlling the unique genes involved the events of disease including the cancer through the use of siRNA. Since appx. 25,000 genes map has been completed, gene-based technology has some advantages of simple design and ease in the early development process which can reduce the time and cost of development. With the high expectation to enable various developments for personalized healthcare, this has been selected as one of ‘Top 10 Future Promising Technologies’ which will bring the dramatic life styles within 10 years .
IPK’s proprietary ‘Human Genome-wide siRNA screening’ has a potent capabilities of screening all genes and identifying target genes at the faster pace.

About Asan Institute for Life Science
The Asan Institute for Life Sciences was established in 1990 when the Asan Medical Center opened in Seoul. Its goal is to make a contribution to human health and welfare by discovering solutions and cures to various diseases based on the studies and research on life phenomena. Since its establishment, the Institute has made great achievements in basic research, generation mechanism of illnesses, dynamics, diagnosis and treatment research, and has played a leading role in education of researchers, academic exchange with other research institutes and human exchanges.

About Institut Pasteur Korea
Institut Pasteur Korea is a non-profit organization based in South Korea. It was founded in April, 2004 with the strategic focus of enabling technologies and therapeutic development in disease models pertaining to public health. For additional information please visit http://www.ip-korea.org.