AGT patents genes for depression, anxiety

Five novel genes linked to depression and anxiety have been identified by AGT Biosciences (formerly Autogen) using the company's unique Israeli sand rat model for the disorder.

Provisional patent applications on the genes have been filed in the US, said CEO Greg Collier, and the company would continue to work on the function of the genes.

"It's interesting that when you look at the patent field, there are very few genes that have been patented for depression and anxiety," said Collier. He noted that other than the model used by AGT, there were few useful animal models that could be used to study the disorder.

AGT's patented animal model has been developed from observations that the sand rats exhibit temporary behavioural changes and weight loss in response to being separated from littermates, which can be prevented by treatment with anti-depressants.

Using the model, AGT researchers have discovered two genes that are activated in the brains of rats displaying symptoms of depression and anxiety, and another three genes that are switched off. The corresponding human genes have also been identified.

"The nice thing about it is that they have all become really clear targets," said Collier. One of the genes resembles the ion channel genes, a gene family he described as providing possible therapeutic targets.

"The next step is finding, through our protein analysis and discovery facilities, what the genes actually do," he said. "Also, now we have the model up and running smoothly, we expect to find genes in different parts of the brain and open up new pathways as well."

AGT is working on finding a pharmaceutical partner for its depression and anxiety program, along the lines of the collaboration it has with Merck Sante. But Collier said the company hadn't ruled out the possibility of licensing individual genes to companies if the right offer came along.

"Individual targets can become very useful in terms of bringing in revenue," he said, citing a recent depression gene discovered by US company Myriad which brought the company a $US1 million milestone payment from pharmaceutical partner Abbott.

AGT's share price had risen nearly eight per cent to $AUD0.205 at the time of writing.