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TGen Foundation Announces New Cancer Fund

ATAC Research Fund supports TGen's adrenocortical carcinoma project

10-03-2005

Phoenix, AZ, October 3, 2005-The TGen Foundation today announced the
receipt of a gift from Scottsdale philanthropist Troy Richards to
establish the Advancing Treatments for Adrenocortical Carcinoma
(ATAC) Fund, designed to support genetic research efforts toward the
disease. In addition to donating $100,000 to the fund, Mr. Richards
will work with the TGen Foundation to raise additional funds for the
project, which will use the institute's genetic technologies to
analyze adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) tumors.
ACC is a rare cancer of the adrenal cortex that affects one to two
people per million. The adrenal cortex is the outside layer of the
adrenal glands, which are located above each kidney in the back of
the upper abdomen. When cells in the adrenal cortex become
cancerous, they may overproduce hormones, which can cause symptoms
such as high blood pressure, weakening of the bones, or diabetes.

At the present time, there is only one drug on the market approved
for the disease. TGen researchers and Richards alike hope this
project will one day offer ACC patients new and better therapies.

Mr. Richards himself was diagnosed with ACC six years ago. "I
believe TGen is in a perfect position to carry out ACC research, and
I am dedicated to keeping this project going until we find viable
treatments for ACC," said Mr. Richards.

The largest ACC research project to date, the study's goal is to
analyze 100 ACC tumor samples and compare their genetic signatures
to 20 benign adrenal cortex samples. TGen researchers will use the
genomic data to identify mutations and design new diagnostic tools
and therapeutics to combat this aggressive cancer.

"Troy Richards, through his drive and generous financial gift to
TGen, has provided a much-needed opportunity to advance research in
adrenocortical cancer," said Dr. Michael Demeure, TGen senior
investigator and lead scientist on the ACC project. "Our team will
use the latest molecular genetic technologies available here at TGen
to study tumor samples from patients with ACC. Our goal is to
develop new more effective treatments for this rare but deadly
disease."

Dr. Demeure, along with Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Director of TGen's
Translational Research Division, are working with oncologists and
surgeons worldwide to obtain ACC tumor samples. Collaborating
partners include the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and
Mayo Clinic of Rochester, MN.

For more information, visit www.atacfund.org

# # #

About TGen
The mission of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human
health. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field
employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project
and applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and
therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other
complex diseases. TGen is focused on personalized medicine and plans
to accomplish its goals through robust and disease-focused research.

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