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Senesco's Study on Gene Inhibition That May Protect Human Optic Nerve Cells from ''Programmed Cell Death'' Published in ''Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science''

Business Wire, Oct 14, 2004

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Senesco Technologies, Inc. ("Senesco" or the "Company") (AMEX:SNT) reported that the peer-reviewed journal, "Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science," has published the Company's study entitled "The Role of eIF5A in TNF -- alpha -- Mediated Apoptosis of Lamina Cribrosa Cells" in the October 2004 issue. The study's findings demonstrate that under the experimental conditions used, inhibition of the Company's proprietary eIF5A ("Factor 5A") gene protects human optic nerve cells from programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Blindness caused by glaucoma can result from TNF-alpha induced apoptosis of the optic nerve.

Bruce Galton, president and chief executive officer of Senesco, commented, "We believe that publication of our study in this prestigious journal is a significant step for Senesco, one that validates the quality of our research as we investigate the uses of our proprietary gene in human health. We believe our data indicate that eIF5A is a possible target for treatment of glaucoma."

The contributing authors were: Catherine A. Taylor, Dominic O. Cliche, Adrienne N. Boone, John E. Thompson from the Department of Biology, the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Michelle Senchyna, Elizabeth M. Joyce and Shelley Culp-Stewart of the School of Optometry, the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; and John Flanagan of the School of Optometry, the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

An abstract based on this research was presented in April at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

For further technical details, a copy of the abstract can be viewed at the Senesco website at http://www.senesco.com/media.php.> About Senesco Technologies, Inc.

Senesco takes its name from the scientific term for the aging of plant cells: senescence. The Company has developed technology that regulates the onset of cell death. Delaying cell breakdown in plants extends freshness after harvesting, while increasing crop yields, plant size and resistance to environmental stress for flowers, fruits and vegetables. The Company believes that its technology can be used to develop superior strains of crops without any modification other than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has begun to explore ways to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine. Accelerating apoptosis may have applications to development of cancer treatments. Delaying apoptosis may have applications to certain diseases such as Alzheimer's, glaucoma, ischemia and arthritis, among others. Senesco partners with leading-edge companies and earns research and development fees for applying its gene-regulating platform technology to enhance its partners' products. Senesco is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and utilizes research laboratories at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado, as well as other institutions.

"About Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science"

"Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science" ("IOVS"), published monthly in print and online, is an official journal of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), an international organization whose purposes are to encourage and assist research, training, publication, and dissemination of knowledge in vision and ophthalmology.

Certain statements included in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the development of the Company's gene technology; the approval of the Company's patent applications; the successful implementation of the Company's research and development programs and joint ventures; the success of the Company's license agreements; the successful conversion of the Company's letter of intent into a license agreement; the acceptance by the market of the Company's products; success of the Company's preliminary studies and preclinical research; competition and the timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

 

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