Deltagen Inc has discovered a novel drug target, designated DT044I, for the potential treatment of inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. This target flows from the company's high-throughput identification screens that have been built into its Target Discovery Program (TDP). The Company utilizes these screens to validate novel targets in its focus areas of immune disorders, metabolism and oncology. DT044I is the fourth drug development target announced from the company's inflammatory disease program, and the fifth target in total to be announced this year. Deltagen intends to offer for sale or partnership these and forthcoming targets to enhance its revenue generation opportunities.

DT044I is associated with the cell membrane and is expressed by cells involved in both innate immunity, and cellular and humoral immune response. Experimental studies performed by Deltagen indicate that antagonism of DT044I, as modeled in knockout mice, may represent a potential treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. DT044I knockout mice exhibited no observable changes upon deletion of the gene; however, when these knockouts were challenged in a model known to mimic human rheumatoid arthritis, the mice demonstrated significant protection from disease progression, including decreased inflammation, bone and cartilage loss.

"Inflammatory diseases are of particular interest within the biopharmaceutical industry because of the large potential markets and the lack of effective treatment alternatives. Therefore, we believe that DT044I will garner significant interest as it offers a novel monoclonal antibody development opportunity," said Geoffrey T. Yarranton, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Deltagen.