EGeen And Estonian Genome Project Foundation Launch Sample Processing And Storage Facilities
Redwood City, CA - September 6, 2002 EGeen and the Estonian Genome Project Foundation opened specially designed laboratory facilities for DNA sample processing and storage in Tartu, Estonia. The opening of the facilities is a major milestone in the three year long preparatory work to begin the collection of blood samples and medical data of the Estonian population. First samples are scheduled to arrive in the facilities in the first half of September and will mark the official start of the comprehensive gene bank creation. In the initial phase 10,000 samples will be collected in three Estonian counties to test the infrastructure and logistics systems, with a nationwide collection process to follow. Discovery work utilizing the de-identified data access begins immediately and will expand in scope as more diseases become represented in the gene bank with more donors enrolled in the countrywide project. About EGeen EGeen is a privately held emerging biotechnology company focused on drug and diagnostic target discovery, and personalized medicine applications. EGeen has exclusive commercial rights to information from the Estonian Genome Project. The Estonian Genome Project is a major national effort sponsored by the Estonian Government with the objective of gathering medical information and samples from a significant portion of the population. EGeen will utilize this comprehensive database for drug and diagnostic target discovery and personalized medicine applications. The Company has established pharmacogenetic collaborations and intends to collaborate to with partners seeking to validate drug target candidates and genetic drug profiles. More information about the Company can be found at http://www.EGeeninc.com About Estonia The Northern European country of Estonia offers a genetically heterogeneous population of 1.4 million people appropriately representing Westerners. The government of Estonia has created a unique legal and ethical environment that will enable EGeen to develop information and resources of high economic and medical value. This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. In particular, statements regarding the negotiations with the potential investors or corporate partners are subject to risks, including the possibility that no definitive agreement will be reached with partners, or that any of proposed closing conditions to the transaction will not be satisfied. EGeen International Corporation |