Exemplar Genetics to Play Key Support Role for Breakthrough Research on Cystic Fibrosis

SIOUX CENTER – An announcement that researchers at the University of Iowa and University of Missouri have achieved a medical first by developing a pig that closely mimics cystic fibrosis, a debilitating disease that strikes human infants, also has a local connection in a genetics company that holds rights to patents related to the breakthrough.

 

“It would be difficult to understate the value of this breakthrough to Iowa,” said John Swart, CEO of Exemplar Genetics.  “Our company motto is ‘enabling discovery’ and that’s exactly what we’ve done.   The results of our partnership with state government and academic scientists at two top-flight universities mean we will attract the world’s best researcher in human diseases to Iowa. It also means we’ll attract international pharmaceutical companies here either to be close to ongoing studies or even to build a research and development lab the either the Iowa City or Sioux center areas.”

 

Swart said the local company’s control of the patents also means Iowa will retain more highly educated professionals and create good-paying quality jobs. “We also expect to make a real difference people’s lives and in the next 10 years really move toward the prevention and cure of some of the most baffling and cruel diseases,” he added.  “This will really put Iowa on the map.”

 

A study about the medical breakthrough was published in the Sept. 26 issue of Science. 

 

Cystic Fibrosis is a common hereditary disease that affects multiple organ systems, including the intestines, pancreas, and lung. Mice with CF-causing mutations have helped researchers learn more about this disease, but differences in physiology and biology mean that those mice don’t develop many of the symptoms that affect humans.

 

“Lack of a better model has hampered our ability to answer long-standing questions in CF,” explained Christopher Rogers, one of the study’s lead authors. “The CF pig provides a unique opportunity to study one of the most common genetic diseases, and we hope to translate this new knowledge into better therapies and preventions.”

 

A primary cause of death and disability in cystic fibrosis patients is lung disease. However, many questions remain about how infection and inflammation leads to lung damage.

 

 In the study, the lungs of the newborn cystic fibrosis pigs appeared similar to the lungs of their normal littermates and had no sign of infection or inflammation, possibly shedding some initial insight on the process. As the pigs mature and are exposed to airborne bacteria and viruses, the researchers hope to learn more about how and why lung disease develops in patients with the disease.

 

“Researchers can now begin to study the disease progression as it is happening, something not possible in humans,” said David Meyerholz, a University of Iowa veterinarian and another co-lead author of the study.

 

The senior study author was Dr. Michael Welsh, M.D., a University of Iowa professor of internal medicine and molecular physiology and biophysics who also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.   The study was funded in part by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Food for the 21st Century and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

 

Exemplar Genetics is focused on the creation and delivery of models that effectively represent human disease.  Initially offering a representative model of cystic fibrosis to researchers interested in understanding the disease and developing new therapies and treatments, Exemplar Genetics will develop, validate and produce additional models for other diseases independently and in collaboration with the county’s best scientists.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.exemplargenetics.com.  

 

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Exemplar Genetics Announces Purchase of LoneStar Laboratory Swine

 

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Exemplar Genetics, a new firm that will partner with medical researchers to seek cures for some of the most challenging diseases facing humans, has purchased LoneStar Laboratory Swine and will move the Sequin, Texas operation to South Dakota, the company’s president said today.

 

Dr. John Swart noted that LoneStar is one of the industry’s elite names in the production and care of pigs raised for cardiovascular research, diabetic studies, facial mandibular research, bone marrow research and skin research.

 

“LoneStar Laboratory Swine was founded more than a decade ago by two veterinarians who now have more than 50 years of experience in swine medicine and research. They’ve worked very hard since 1996 to build a herd of Yucatan Miniature swine to meet specialized research needs,” Swart said. “As Exemplar Genetics moves forward, we felt very strongly about the value of building the company on a solid foundation.  LoneStar has a reputation of excellence that is appreciated within the medical research community and envied by other laboratory swine producers.”

 

Swart said a number of medical research facilities are located in the Midwest and LoneStar’s pending move to South Dakota will reduce the cost of transporting swine to those sites. The swine are shipped in special climate-controlled vehicles and given free range to eliminate stress.

 

            LoneStar currently has approximately 600 swine in a closed herd system that reduces disease risk and mortality while providing maximum genetic benefits, stable immunity and overall herd health and balanced growth rates.

 

“We look to build on LoneStar’s well-deserved reputation for quality as we shift operations to the Sioux Falls area in the weeks ahead,” Swart said.

 

Exemplar Genetics is an Iowa based company focused on the creation and delivery of models that effectively represent human disease.  Initially offering a representative model of cystic fibrosis to researchers interested in understanding the disease and developing new therapies and treatments, Exemplar Genetics will develop, validate and produce additional models for other diseases independently and in collaboration with the county’s best scientists.  For more information, visit our website at www.exemplargenetics.com.   

 

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After Months of Delay, Congress Passes Flood Relief; Miller-Meeks Asks, Why Does Loebsack Put Politics Over People?

OTTUMWA — Second Congressional District Republican candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks commended Congress for finally acting to deliver flood relief to Iowans. The Senate is expected to pass the bill today, and Iowans devastated by June flooding will be able to rest easier knowing they will eventually receive relief.

 

“While it’s important that Congress finally acted, it’s clear David Loebsack had little to do with the relief package and he has not been a leader. There’s a big difference between action and leadership,” Dr. Miller-Meeks said. “He followed the failed leadership of a Do-Nothing Congress that chose to play politics before delivering aid to Iowans as soon as possible.”

 

In July, Rep. Tom Latham, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee pleaded with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass a stand-alone flood relief bill because it was clear the $2.65 billion Congress initially appropriated in June was inadequate. So far, only $1 billion in flood assistance has been allocated to Iowa, according to the Rebuild Iowa Office.

 

Not wanting to risk losing a potential vote on offshore drilling and using flood relief as a political bargaining chip to pass the $600 billion catch-all government spending bill, Pelosi secured adjournment in July. The current bill has $22.9 billion in aid for disasters, and Iowa is expected to receive about $5 billion.

 

Congressional action comes almost four months after the floods devastated Southeast Iowa. Federal and congressional officials said Iowa communities, homeowners and small businesses might have to wait until after the first of the year for flood relief to be allocated in a best-case scenario. The Des Moines Register reported today that it might be 2009 until Iowa knows how much money it will receive and months more before the aid trickles down.

 

“When Democratic leaders in Congress decided Iowans could wait, where was Dave Loebsack’s leadership?” Miller-Meeks asked. “He was AWOL – absent without leadership — choosing a go-along-to-get-along strategy instead of standing up for the people of his district, and now wants to take single-handed credit for disaster relief that is long overdue” she added.

 

Media accounts prove that Congressman Loebsack, ranked only the 332nd most influential member of Congress, had questionable involvement, and Democrats used the bill as a political tool to force their spending package through Congress.

“The legislation is coming together in a remarkably secretive process in which decisions are concentrated in the hands of just a few lawmakers such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis.,” according to a Sept. 22 Associated Press story.

 

“Families are scrimping to pay basic bills like gas and groceries while wondering how their homes will be rebuilt,” Miller-Meeks said. “Thousands of Iowans have left devastated areas. Small businesses and farms are still struggling and every day of inaction by the “Do Nothing Congress” has prolonged suffering. Congressman Loebsack failed to lead by not putting the people of Iowa before partisan politics.”

 

“While Congress has finally taken steps to provide essential help to disaster victims, there’s no excuse for Dave Loebsack to continually put partisanship over people,” Miller-Meeks said.  “It’s time for the Second District to elect a real leader in Congress who believes in change that delivers.”

 

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