Cenix BioScience GmbH (Dresden) has announced that following the success of a pilot project started in late 2004, it has entered into an agreement with Schering AG to extend their target validation partnership. Started in late 2004, the pilot project focused on the application of Cenix’ combination of high throughput (HT) RNAi technology with multiplexed, high content (HC) phenotypic analyses to efficiently generate detailed in vitro validation data for over 100 target candidates in multiple mammalian cell types.

Having now completed this initial project and achieved all required performance milestones, Cenix has clearly demonstrated its ability to enhance and accelerate efforts towards prioritizing targets for further internal development. As a result of this success, the two companies have now entered into an agreement, setting the terms under which Schering will outsource up to 6 more projects of similar type, i.e. mandating Cenix to carry out HT-RNAi validation programs in human cells to rapidly and efficiently screen through large collections of target candidate genes previously identified by Schering.

“Though quite challenging, the first target validation project with Schering was scientifically very gratifying and the overall interaction has been a true pleasure for our team,” said Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix BioScience. “We are excited by the prospect of continuing this work and look forward to further contributing to such an excellent program.”