SWITCH Biotech′s most valuable tool is the company′s wealth of knowledge concerning molecular dermatological processes. The company has at its disposal a collection of over 5,200 biopsies of diseased and healthy skin taken from approximately 830 anonymous patients all of whom have a well-documented medical history. Patient data is collected as well.

The biopsies and associated data provide SWITCH Biotech′s scientists with extensive molecular information. SWITCH uses Laser Capture Microdissection to extract only those cells from the biopsies that are relevant for the disease. DNA Microarray technique is then utilized to determine the pattern of gene expression in the sample. This pattern is then compared to that of the unaffected skin taken from the same patient as well as to the expression in skin samples from healthy volunteers. This comparison provides SWITCH Biotech with information pertaining to the activity state of molecules in the diseased sample of skin. Gene products of disregulated genes are potential drug targets.

To further validate these research results, SWITCH uses in vitro assays to test whether over-expression or down-regulation of these targets efficaciously change the characteristics (e.g proliferation rate, differentiation status or migration characteristics) of the cells.

These validated targets, together with other data regarding the molecular pathology of the corresponding diseases, provide the basis for the discovery of compounds that can be developed into drugs for skin diseases.

Bioinformatics plays a crucial role in the identification of novel drugs. SWITCH has created a proprietary database that correlates patient data, information on target genes and potential compounds. It represents a knowledge platform that is second to none in dermatological drug discovery.

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SWITCH Biotech AG
Human Resources
Floriansbogen 2-4
82061 Neuried
Germany
E-Mail: hr@switch-biotech.com

Phone:+49(0)89-74946-0
fax: +49(0)89-74946-131

www.switch-biotech.com