Interleukin Genetics CEO to present at Korean Conference on Aging
05/16/2006
Interleukin Genetics CEO to present at Korean Conference on Aging
-Research Focused on Genetic Predisposition for Cardiovascular Risk in Asian Populations-
Waltham, MA, May 16, 2006 - Interleukin Genetics (AMEX: ILI) today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Ken Kornman, DDS, PhD, will present at the 2nd Joint International Symposium of Yonsei University Research Institute of Science for Aging (YURISA) and Cardiovascular Genome Center (CGC) on May 20, 2006. The conference will focus on “Gene-Environment Interactions in Aging and Cardiovascular Disease,” and is sponsored by the Yonsei Biomedical Science and Technology Initiative program, Yonsei University Office of Research Affairs’ National Laboratory Project, and Pfizer-Korea Ltd.
In a talk entitled, “Interleukin-1 gene variations interact with environmental challenges to increase inflammatory mediators and the risk for cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Kornman, an expert on the genetics of inflammation, will present data on unique genetic patterns that may be predictive of cardiovascular disease risk in Asian populations. He will further describe preliminary findings on the association between interleukin-1 genotypes and c-reactive protein (CRP), a serum marker of inflammation and a recognized risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke. Co-authors of the presentation include Dr. Yangsoo Jang, Director, YURISA and CGC, Professor, Department of Cardiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, and Professor Jong Ho Lee, Department of Food & Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University.
“Interleukin Genetics’ research with Yonsei and other research institutions in Asia is expected to provide valuable insight into population-specific genetic variables that could be useful in our development of new tests to assess predispositions to cardiovascular disease in Korean and other Asian populations,” stated Dr. Kornman, CEO of Interleukin Genetics. “I am therefore very pleased to have this opportunity to present our research at the Yonsei University symposium and share our work with leaders in this field.”
Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease
It is well established in scientific literature that, across all ethnic populations, inflammation is a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. Specific variations in the Interleukin-1 gene family are associated with increases in serum CRP levels, a systemic inflammatory response to injury, as well as AMI at a younger age in Caucasians.
Through its research collaborations in Asia, Interleukin Genetics is applying its proprietary technology and knowledge of inflammatory processes to develop the data required for commercialization of its genetic tests for risk assessment in Korea, China, and Japan. In addition to the study at Yonsei University, Interleukin Genetics is collaborating with Tongji Medical College in China on cardiovascular genetics.
About Interleukin
Interleukin Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing personalized health products. The company uses functional genomics to help in the development of risk assessment tests, pharmacogenetic tests, nutritional and therapeutic products based on the genetic variations in people. Interleukin Genetics has commercialized genetic tests for periodontal disease risk assessment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and general nutrition assessment, and its current development programs focus on osteoporosis, and weight management. Interleukin expects that these programs will also lead to products that will personalize the selection of nutritional and therapeutic products and enable the managed care industry to improve patient care and better allocate resources. For more information about Interleukin and its ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements including statements regarding our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns and our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns, our ability to complete all of our key milestones with regard to Alticor programs, our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies and our ability to launch new commercial products and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
For Interleukin Genetics:
Janet Perry
(781) 398-0700