Genome Therapeutics and Wyeth are extending their drug discovery research alliance aimed at developing novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Utilizing genetic information from a family with very high bone density but otherwise normal bones, Genome Therapeutics identified a mutation in the LRP5 gene that results in the high bone mass trait.

Since this discovery, researchers have produced targets for drug development and earlier this year, announced that the program entered high-throughput screening for drug candidates. As part of the extension, Genome Therapeutics will continue to research aspects of the LRP5 signaling pathway in order to investigate the gene's role in bone formation and provide additional information needed for product development.

"To date, the alliance with Wyeth has been successful, marked by the discovery of LRP5, publication of the research in the American Journal of Human Genetics, validation of LRP5's role in bone biology by other research groups, confirmation by Wyeth in pre-clinical models and the advancement of the research program into screening," said Steven M. Rauscher, CEO and President of Genome Therapeutics. "By continuing our partnership for another year, we expect to uncover additional details of the gene's mechanism of action; a critical component of our mutual goal of developing novel therapeutics for osteoporosis."

Genome Therapeutics and Wyeth are leveraging their complementary capabilities in disease-gene identification, and in drug development and bone biology to develop new pharmaceuticals through this alliance. The extension is expected to last through December 2003 and total payments to Genome Therapeutics throughout the entire partnership, excluding royalties, may reach $118 million, of which $9 million has been received to date.