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Updated: 04:28 PM EDT DNAPrint genomics Acquires 18% Stake in German Company
SARASOTA, Fla., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DNAG) today announced that it has acquired an 18% stake in Biofrontera AG of Leverkusen, Germany, for 1.5 million euros. In connection with the transaction, two DNAPrint executives, Richard Gabriel and Hector Gomez, remained on the Biofrontera Board of Directors.
"Our relationship with Biofrontera will result in a new pharmaceutical pipeline for DNAPrint genomics," stated Mr. Gabriel, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Biofrontera already is in Phase II clinical trials with its BF-Derm1 lead product, an anti-itch compound for chronic Urticaria, known as chronic itching and welts brought on by exposure to cold or other allergens that cause a severe skin immune response. It also has a Phase II clinical trial compound for pre-cancerous skin lesions or actinic keratosis known as 5-aminolevulonic acid. Additionally, Biofrontera has advanced a novel prophylactic migraine treatment to pre-clinical development, as well as a series of other compounds at the pre-clinical stage."
Hector J. Gomez, M.D., Ph.D., DNAPrint's Chairman and Chief Medical Officer, said the Biofrontera investment is in line with the Company's corporate strategy to leverage its expertise in DNA technology in the development of pharmaceuticals. "We already have one drug in our product pipeline and have begun pre-clinical work with Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on PT-401, or Super EPO, a more potent compound for the anemia drug erythropoietin (EPO)," Dr. Gomez said. "The key goal of our pharmaceutical research is the development of test/drug combinations for helping to ensure efficacy with compatible patients."
DNAPrint genomics also is continuing to expand its line of forensic products for the law enforcement market and family ancestry products for individual consumers.
"We believe the acquisition of Biofrontera AG shares and our presence on the Board of Directors will enable both companies to enhance their abilities to develop products and services and to market and sell their products," Mr. Gabriel noted. "Over the next several months we plan to expand our relationship with Biofrontera, especially in the drug development arena, and we plan to take advantage of each others' locations to help promote our respective products and services in each others' markets."
About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint genomics, Inc. ( http://www.dnaprint.com ) is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology and consumer genetic tests. The Company's first theranostic product (test/drug combination) is PT- 401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end stage renal disease). Currently in pre- clinical development, PT-401 will be targeted to patients with a genetic profile indicating their propensity to have the best clinical response.
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. Effective at 12:01 a.m., Sarasota, Florida time on July 12, 2005, each twenty shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share of the Corporation then issued and outstanding automatically shall be combined into one share (or fraction thereof) of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Corporation. Fractional shares shall be issued. The Corporation shall continue to have 1,500,000,000 shares of authorized common stock.
I suppose if I buy more now it's like buying on sale!?
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Updated: 07:22 AM EDT DNAPrint genomics' Forensics Technology Featured in Presentation to Florida Sex Crimes Investigators Association
SARASOTA, Fla., July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DNAG) today announced that the Company's DNAWitness(TM) forensics technology was featured during a presentation at the annual conference of the Florida Sex Crimes Investigators Association annual conference in Orlando.
Dr. Matthew Thomas, Ph.D., a scientist at DNAPrint genomics, provided the conference an overview on Thursday, July 14, of how DNAWitness technology can be applied to modern criminal investigations, including investigation of sex crimes.
"DNAWitness is a valuable forensics tool for analyzing DNA recovered at a crime scene because it narrows the search for persons of interest, reducing cost and time in making a potential apprehension," Dr. Thomas said. "DNAWitness is the only testing method available with predictive capability that can identify the percentage of a person's genetic makeup among four possible groups -- Sub-Saharan African, Native American, East Asian and Indo- European. We also have introduced a further expansion of these four genetic groups to include Northern European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian. In addition, recent upgrades in our technology enable DNAPrint genomics to deal with high-volume cases at less cost."
Dr. Thomas noted that another tool in DNAPrint's forensics arsenal is RETINOME(TM), a new genetic test that infers eye (iris) color from DNA. "These are cutting-edge technologies that enable police to identify persons of interest more quickly," he said. "Law enforcement agencies worldwide have utilized DNAWitness to investigate more than 100 crimes and to identify the bodies of missing persons."
Statistical data on sexual assaults in the U.S. vary, depending on how they are categorized. Authorities estimate there are anywhere from 200,000 to 250,000 or more incidents of rape per year, with one in three going unreported. "Serial or aggravated rape in many instances eventually leads to a murder, so catching these perpetrators early, potentially could be a lifesaver," Dr. Thomas said.
"We are pleased that Florida is taking the lead in highlighting the use of DNAWitness in criminal investigations while the rest of the forensics community, for the most part, is still being supported by research dollars to develop technologies that are four to five years out," said DNAPrint President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gabriel. "Our technology works, and it is available now."
The Florida Sex Crimes Investigators Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization in April 1992 by a small, dedicated group of law enforcement investigators committed to providing low-cost, high-quality training opportunities for its members, and a means of networking and intelligence and information exchange. Today, there are more than 300 members. The website http://www.fscia.org contains information of interest to investigators and prosecutors of sex crimes and child abuse, as well as those who provide services for victims of such crimes. It may be used also as a
resource for the general public who may have questions related to the subject matter.
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