deCODE Discovers a Gene Linked to Risk of Kidney Stones and Osteoporosis

Findings Offer Promising Target for Drugs to Better Regulate Calcium
Metabolism, Are Integrated Into deCODEme(TM)

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A discovery by
scientists at deCODE genetics (Nasdaq:DCGN) and academic colleagues from
Iceland, the Netherlands and Denmark has pointed to a common biological
mechanism contributing to both kidney stones and decreased bone mineral
density (BMD). About 60% of the population carry two copies of a
single-letter variation in the human genome (SNP) on chromosome 21, putting
them at roughly 65% greater likelihood of developing kidney stones than those
who carry no copies. This single variant may thus account for more than a
quarter of the incidence of kidney stones, and in women carriers it is also
associated with decreased BMD at the hip and spine. The study, which involved
the analysis of the genomes of some 50,000 patients and controls, is
published in the online edition of Nature Genetics at
http://www.nature.com/ng and will appear in upcoming print edition of the
journal.
The SNP is in the gene encoding claudin 14 (CLDN14), a protein expressed
in the kidney and one of a family of membrane proteins that regulate the
passage of ions and small solutes between cells. As calcium is a key
component both of most kidney stones and of bone, the deCODE team examined
the relationship between CLDN14 and the metabolism of calcium. The results
suggest that the SNP may be contributing to increased calcium excretion in
urine, a major risk factor for kidney stones and also a sign of bone loss.
"This is an exciting finding because it uncovers a highly plausible
common biological mechanism leading to two diseases. This offers a
potentially attractive new pathway for drug discovery, and the next task is
to build on our understanding of how this SNP increases risk of these
diseases and how this pathway could be targeted therapeutically to address
this risk. As ever, deCODEme subscribers will see this new variant in their
profiles, and we look forward building on this discovery," said Kari
Stefansson, CEO of deCODE.
About kidney stones
Kidney stones are small crystals formed of dissolved minerals, mainly
calcium, that form in the kidneys. Smaller stones can simply be passed
through urination, though larger ones can block the urinary tract, causing
considerable pain and bleeding. Kidney stones affect some 5% of women and 10%
of men in the industrialized world. Larger stones can be detected with
ultrasound screening and broken up to facilitate passage, though the
recurrence rate is high.
deCODE would like to thank all those who participated in this study, as
well as the collaborating clinicians and scientists from the Landspitali
University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland; Radboud University Nijmegen
Medical Centre in Nijmegen, Netherlands; Nordic Bioscience A/S in Herlev,
Denmark; and the Center for Clinical and Basic Research A/S in Ballerup,
Denmark.
About deCODE
deCODE is a bio-pharmaceutical company developing drugs and DNA-based
tests to improve the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of common diseases.
Its lead therapeutic programs, which leverage the company's expertise in
chemistry and structural biology, include DG041, an antiplatelet compound
being developed for the prevention of arterial thrombosis; DG051 and DG031,
compounds targeting the leukotriene pathway for the prevention of heart
attack; and DG071 and a platform for other PDE4 modulators with therapeutic
applications in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. deCODE is a global
leader in human genetics, and has identified key variations in the genome
(SNPs) conferring increased risk of major public health challenges from
cardiovascular disease to cancer. Based upon these discoveries deCODE has
brought to market a growing range of DNA-based tests for gauging risk and
empowering prevention of common diseases. Through its CLIA-registered
laboratory, deCODE offers deCODE T2(TM) for type 2 diabetes; deCODE AF(TM)
for atrial fibrillation and stroke; deCODE MI(TM) for heart attack; deCODE
ProstateCancer(TM) for prostate cancer; deCODE Glaucoma(TM) for a major type
of glaucoma; and deCODE BreastCancer, for the common forms of breast cancer.
deCODE is delivering on the promise of the new genetics.(SM) Visit us on the
web at: http://www.decode.com; on our diagnostics site at
http://www.decodediagnostics.com for our pioneering personal genome analysis
service and new focused disease scans, integrating the genetic variants
included in these tests and those linked to another twenty common diseases,
as well as for our new deCODEme Cardio(TM) and deCODEme Cancer(TM) scans, at
http://www.decodeme.com; and on our blog at http://www.decodeyou.com.
Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results, and the timing of events, to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties include, among others, those relating to our ability
to obtain sufficient financing to continue as a going concern, our ability to
develop and market diagnostic products, the level of third party
reimbursement for our products, risks related to preclinical and clinical
development of pharmaceutical products, including the identification of
compounds and the completion of clinical trials, our ability to form
collaborative relationships, the effect of government regulation and the
regulatory approval processes, market acceptance, our ability to obtain and
protect intellectual property rights for our products, dependence on
collaborative relationships, the effect of competitive products, industry
trends and other risks identified in deCODE's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risk factors
identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates to
those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. deCODE undertakes no obligation to
update or alter these forward-looking statements as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
deCODE genetics
Edward Farmer
+44(0)7796-010107
edward.farmer@decode.is

Gisli Arnason
+354-570-1900
gisli.arnason@decode.is

Joy Bessenger
+1-212-481-3891
joy.bessenger@decode.is

SOURCE deCODE genetics

Contacts: deCODE genetics, Edward Farmer, +44(0)7796-010107,
edward.farmer@decode.is; Gisli Arnason, +354-570-1900,
gisli.arnason@decode.is; Joy Bessenger, +1-212-481-3891,
joy.bessenger@decode.is