Interleukin Genetics Licenses DNA-Based Weight Management Technology From GeneOb
06/21/2006
INTERLEUKIN GENETICS LICENSES DNA-BASED WEIGHT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FROM GeneOb
Algorithm Contributes to Next Genetic Risk Assessment Test for Interleukin
Waltham, MA, June 21, 2006 - Interleukin Genetics (AMEX: ILI) today announced that it has exclusively licensed technology from GeneOb, Inc. that uses specific genetic markers as the basis for determining risk of individual weight gain and response to weight-loss programs. The GeneOb algorithm is expected to be an essential component in Interleukin’s development of a genetic weight management test intended for release next year through its commercialization partner, Alticor. Interleukin has recently commercialized a personalized risk assessment test for inflammation related to cardiovascular disease, as well as a general nutrition test.
“Obesity is a highly prevalent and serious medical condition that contributes to a variety of diseases. It is well recognized that weight management programs must be individualized if they are to be successful,” said Kenneth Kornman, DDS, Ph.D., President and CEO of Interleukin Genetics. “GeneOb has tremendous scientific expertise in the genetics of obesity and the genetics of exercise. Our license to this technology provides a strong scientific platform from which we can apply our product development expertise to develop a DNA-based tool for weight management. We believe that this product may provide substantial aid to many individuals who need to address and manage weight problems.”
“GeneOb has partnered with Interleukin because they bring the specific scientific expertise to develop our weight management technology into robust commercial products,” said Dr. Louis Perusse, a well-known expert in the field of obesity genetics, and Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of GeneOb. “Interleukin Genetics has the ability to integrate its significant DNA test development skills with GeneOb’s knowledge of the genetics of body weight regulation, and then deliver products to market effectively. We look forward to developing these important products with a partner who has proven their ability to commercialize genetic assessment tests.”
The agreement will provide Interleukin with the exclusive right to market a weight management genetic test based on GeneOb technology in North America through the multi-level marketing channel. It further provides Interleukin the non-exclusive right to sell such a weight management genetic test throughout North America in other channels. In addition, the companies agreed to negotiate for a pre-determined period licenses for additional undisclosed products using GeneOb technology and Interleukin Genetics’ expertise. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
According to the latest figures from the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 66% of U.S. adults and 17% of adolescents are overweight. Although many people diet and exercise to lose weight, few are successful in keeping the weight off for extended periods of time. In addition, recent studies indicate that genetic factors significantly contribute to middle-aged weight gain. The GeneOb genetic test panel and algorithm will help to identify the specific biological mechanisms that contribute to an individual’s weight gain and response to diet and exercise. This information is expected to be valuable in guiding individuals to more targeted approaches to their personal weight management.
About GeneOb
GeneOb is a private company with proprietary technology that it uses to develop new assessment methods and tools for the treatment and prevention of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease. The technology is designed to analyze multiple genetic factors associated with an individual’s predisposition to obesity and related conditions. The technology used may assist people in personalizing the management of their health, and could provide useful information for identifying individuals at risk for developing disease. The weight management product is the first offered by GeneOb. Additional products in development include assessment methods for diabetes mellitus and heart disease. For more information about GeneOb and its ongoing programs, please visit http://www.geneob.com.
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