Technology
Targets for human therapeutics
Several primate species, closely related to humans, have developed resistance to certain diseases that afflict humans. For example, it is well established that HIV, the cause of AIDS, originated in chimpanzees. Chimpanzee populations today carry the virus, but do not progress to AIDS; similarly, captive chimpanzees can be infected with HIV but do not progress to AIDS. We are applying the Adapted Traits Platform to identify adapted resistance mechanisms in nonhuman primates that could open fresh approaches to therapies for AIDS, hepatitis C, inflammatory diseases, and certain cancers. To date, EG has identified five potential targets for novel small molecule therapeutics for AIDS. We have also identified potential targets for hepatitis C, inflammatory disorders (sepsis and asthma), and cancer. We are collaborating with a leading AIDS research laboratory directed by Dr. Frances Gotch at Imperial College London. We have also been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation to advance the AIDS project. These highly competitive grants are awarded for projects that "explore unique or ingenious concepts", but also have demonstrable commercial and societal benefits.

Targets for crop improvement
Ancient humans exerted a strong selection pressure on crop plants as they domesticated them, selecting for higher and higher crop yields. As can be seen in the pictures below, the most striking difference between modern crops and their wild ancestors is the huge difference in yield.
Because the 7,000 to 10,000 years of agriculture is brief in evolutionary terms, the genes responsible for this yield difference are not fully optimized, and thus are ideal targets for direct intervention to further increase yield, using modern approaches. Moreover, because these are natural genes controlling yield, their use should lead to much more environmentally acceptable seed than seed containing foreign genes (GMOs).

Rice, corn, wheat, sorghum, millet, barley, and sugar cane all arose from a common ancestor and have essentially the same gene set. Of all of these crops, rice has the simplest genome, so rice is widely used for discovery of genes for improving any of these crops. There are only approximately 20 genes in these crops that control various aspects of yield, such as grain/kernel weight, number of grains/kernels per panicle/ear, and number of panicles/ears per plant. To date, EG has identified three rice genes that have played key roles in rice domestication. Preliminary data on two of these adapted genes indicate they play a significant role in determining rice grain weight, potentially controlling 10% of the difference in grain weight between ancestral and modern rice.

Superior Approach to Gene Identification and Validation
EG’s approach to gene identification and validation is better, cheaper, and faster than other gene identification/validation approaches:

Better: EG’s approach enhances the probability of success. EG’s approach identifies genes that have a natural track record of association with a commercially valuable trait.

Cheaper: EG’s approach is far more cost-effective. EG’s platform exploits the work already done by nature to find highly effective points for intervention. EG applies its platform, people, and resources to identify genes in both agriculture and human healthcare at a very low burn rate, creating a spectrum of licensing/revenue opportunities.

Faster: The targets we identify come with "instructions". EG identifies both the gene and the specific changes that resulted in an improved trait – essentially the "before" (ancestral) and "after" (modern) versions of key trait genes. The specific changes imposed by natural selection can be used to jump start the development of improved crops or novel human drugs.

Intellectual Property
EG has a strong intellectual propert position. Three US patents have issued (Nos. 6,228,586; 6,274,319; and 6,280,953) and others are pending, as are foreign equivalents for these patents/applications. EG files patent applications on genes it identifies as well as the modification and use of the genes.

Scientific advisors
Scientific consultants to the Company during various phases of development and application of the platform have included: Professor Susan McCouch, Cornell University a leading expert on rice genomics, especially the genomics of yield traits; Dr. Patrick F. Byrne, Assistant Professor, Colorado State University, formerly assistant curator of the USDA maize genome database. EG’s healthcare advisors include Professor Charles Dinarello, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases (a member of the Scientific Board of Advisors to NIAID and previously on the AIDS Program Advisory Council of the NIH); Dr. Thomas Hudson Director of the Montreal Genome Centre of McGill University; Dr. Thomas Johnson and Dr. James Sikela of the University of Colorado.