Chemgenex patents more depression genes

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CXS) has filed patent applications for another five novel depression-associated gene targets, bringing the total number of gene targets with patent protection from the CNS project to 10.

The company recently signed a deal with UK group Vernalis worth AUD$2 million in the first year if milestones are achieved.

The genes, discovered by ChemGenex researchers at their Deakin University lab, were differentially expressed over a period of eight days by the Israeli sand rat when the animals were separated from their littermates. The novel animal model has been found by ChemGenex to closely mimic behavioural changes seen in human depression and anxiety.

CEO Greg Collier said the genes included several that had never been reported, and a known receptor not previously associated with depression.