Overview

Tranzyme’s technology has the capability to study gene function and protein expression in clinically relevant biological systems. This capability helps in gene function analysis and for building biological assays for drug discovery. The company specializes in bringing biology to chemistry-driven companies.

Founded in 1998, Tranzyme has developed proprietary molecular approaches in genetic engineering, gene transfer and protein expression. The company’s technology platforms include a protein expression technology (TExT), a proprietary gene delivery technology (TranzVector ), and a high-throughput screening and drug discovery technology (TranzAssay ). These technologies are designed to aid in post-genomic function discovery, in elucidating disease pathways, in understanding protein interactions, and in building cell-based assay systems for drug discovery.

Partners

Tranzyme has alliances with Active Pass Pharmaceuticals, NeoGeneis Inc., Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biogen Inc. and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc., a nonprofit affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations.

Tranzyme and Ozgene Pty Ltd., of Canning Vale, Australia, said in January 2002 they created a method for genetically modifying animals. This approach, based on Tranzyme's lentiviral vector, TranzVector, is applicable across a variety of species including laboratory animals and livestock, they said. They plan to produce transgenic animals for both the pharmaceutical and research communities.