ExonHit, UMBI announce RNA splicing symposium

The symposium, chaired by Dr. Adrian Krainer, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, will provide a forum to discuss advances and issues in the field of RNA splicing. For program, click on: http://www.exonhit.com/splicing2002/index.htm

"Splicing 2002" will focus on state-of-the-art concepts and mechanisms of alternative RNA splicing, with leading scientists providing insight on the impact of alternative splicing in the onset and progression of diseases. Since the completion of the human genome sequencing, alternative RNA splicing has gained recognition as a key process in gene expression. It is also now viewed as a major event controlling gene regulation, and protein functionality and diversity.

The luncheon speaker at Splicing 2002 will be UMBI President Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera, an innovative leader in biotechnology with extensive background both in academia and industry. The University of Maryland Biotechnology is a research branch of the University System of Maryland, designed to advance research, training and economic development in the biotechnology sector.

"As a pioneer in the analysis of alternative splicing and its applications to discover new drugs and diagnostics, ExonHit Therapeutics felt the need for an annual scientific event in this emerging field of genomics," commented Bruno Tocqué, CEO of the company. "We are very pleased that such high profile international researchers in alternative splicing will present at this event. We hope to provide every participant with a state-of-the-art overview of alternative splicing and its implications on human pathologies," said Tocqué.

UMBI consists of five research and education centers across the state. UMBI's Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology--a center of excellence in the field of protein structure, function, and design--is located on the USM Shady Grove Campus, at the heart of Maryland's primary corridor of biotech firms.

Participation to Splicing 2002 is free of charge and reserved for a limited number of attendees. Media is welcomed.

ExonHit Therapeutics, which was founded in 1997, has its headquarters and laboratories in Paris, France and its US operations are based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Company has 70 employees worldwide and has raised a total of $42 million.

The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute was mandated by the state of Maryland legislature in 1985 as a "new paradigm of state economic development in biotech-related sciences." With five major research and education centers across Maryland, UMBI is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. The five centers are the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville; Center for Biosystems Research in College Park; and Center of Marine Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology Center, and the Institute of Human Virology, all in Baltimore.