Compugen Announces Discovery of Genetic Biomarker for Predisposition to Type 2 Diabetes

Biomarker Discovered Using Compugen`s GeneVa® Platform
TEL AVIV, Israel--(Business Wire)--
Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ:CGEN) announced today the discovery and experimental
confirmation of a genetic biomarker, CGEN-40001 for predisposition to type 2
diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. This new biomarker was discovered
using Compugen`s GeneVa® platform, which consists of an in silico database of
approximately 350,000 predicted genetic variations in the human genome, with
each predicted variation consisting of multiple consecutive nucleotides.

Predisposition markers are of particular value in diseases like type 2 diabetes,
where specific lifestyle and health factors are known to play an important role.
Following diagnosis, high-risk patients may benefit from more aggressive
management either through lifestyle modification or drug treatment. There are an
estimated 24 million people in the U.S. with diabetes, 90% of whom are affected
by type 2 diabetes. During the past few years, extensive efforts by others
searching for genetic markers for type 2 diabetes have utilized numerous
genome-wide association studies, involving thousands of patients globally.
Several validated genetic markers have been found; however, combining all the
discovered biomarkers still explains only a small fraction of the heritability
of the disease, so the need for additional markers continues to exist.

From the approximately 350,000 multiple nucleotide genetic variations predicted
by the GeneVa® platform, a very small set of variations was selected as being
potentially related to type 2 diabetes in Caucasians. This very small set,
consisting of only 135 variations, was then tested in a genotyping experiment.
In this study, CGEN-40001, a novel 15bp insertion in PFKP (a key regulatory
enzyme in glycolysis), demonstrated the predicted correlation with type 2
diabetes in Caucasians. This correlation was then validated in a second study
based on an independent set of samples. According to the two studies performed
by Compugen, approximately 15% of the Caucasian population has at least one copy
of this insertion. Furthermore, the studies showed that the presence of this
insertion increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 50-80%.

About Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic, life-long disorder that is characterized
by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency. When glucose builds up in the blood rather than being absorbed into
cells, it can lead to diabetic complications. Over time, diabetes can lead to
blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage. Diabetes is also an important factor
in accelerating the hardening and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis), which
generally leads to strokes, coronary heart disease and other large blood vessel
diseases. If left uncontrolled, the consequences can be life-threatening.
However, type 2 diabetes is manageable and can be prevented. "First-line"
treatment consists of diet, weight control and physical activity.

At present, an estimated 8% of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes, 90% of
whom are affected by type 2 diabetes. Moreover, prevalence rates in the U.S.
have more than doubled since 1990, leading the U.S. Center for Disease Control
to characterize this continuing increase as an epidemic. Worldwide, more than
150 million people are estimated to have this disorder; this number is expected
to double by 2025.

About Compugen`s GeneVa® Platform

Compugen`s GeneVa® platform incorporates an in silico database of approximately
350,000 predicted human genetic variations. Each of these predicted variations
consists of multiple consecutive nucleotides (in general varying between 2 and
500 nucleotides) and can be in the form of insertions, deletions and/or
copy-number variations in the genome. Thus, these GeneVa® variations are much
larger than the more commonly known SNP`s (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms),
millions of which are known to occur in the human genome, and with each SNP
involving a change in only one nucleotide. It is generally believed that larger
variations should have a more significant impact.

GeneVa® utilizes special purpose algorithms and other computational biology
tools to select from the large database of genetic variations those variations
that are predicted to be associated with the specific clinical phenotypes of
interest, such as response or non-response to a specified drug of interest, or
predisposition to a specified disease. Another key feature of the platform is a
proprietary genotyping capability that allows the testing of multiple genetic
variations on hundreds of DNA samples in a precise and cost-effective manner.

About Compugen

Compugen is a leading drug and diagnostic product candidate discovery company.
Unlike traditional high throughput trial and error experimental based discovery,
Compugen`s discovery efforts are based on in silico (by computer) prediction and
selection utilizing a growing number of field focused proprietary discovery
platforms accurately modeling biological processes at the molecular level. The
resulting product candidates are then validated through in vitro and in vivo
experimental studies and out-licensed for further development and
commercialization under various forms of revenue sharing agreements. Compugen`s
current collaborations include Bayer Schering Pharma, Biosite, Medarex, Inc.,
Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Serono, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (a Johnson & Johnson
company), Roche, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc., and Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries. In 2002, Compugen established an affiliate, Evogene Ltd.
www.evogene.com (TASE: EVGN.TA), to utilize certain of the Company`s in silico
predictive discovery capabilities in agricultural biotechnology. For additional
information, please visit Compugen's corporate Web site at www.cgen.com.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
include words such as "may", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", and
"intends", and describe opinions about future events. These forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of Compugen to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are: changes in
relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive products and
technological changes; risks relating to the development of new products; and
the ability to implement technological improvements. These and other factors are
identified and more fully explained under the heading "Risk Factors" in
Compugen's annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Compugen Ltd.
Marjie Hadad, +972-54-536-5220
Global Media Liaison
marjie@cgen.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009