Compugen Ltd. announced the discovery and experimental confirmation of a genetic biomarker, CGEN-40001 for predisposition to type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. This new biomarker was discovered using Compugen's GeneVa(R) platform, which consists of an in silico database of approximately 350,000 predicted genetic variations in the human genome, with each predicted variation consisting of multiple consecutive nucleotides. Predisposition markers are of particular value in diseases like type 2 diabetes, where specific lifestyle and health factors are known to play an important role. Following diagnosis, high-risk patients may benefit from more aggressive management either through lifestyle modification or drug treatment. There are an estimated 24 million people in the U.S. with diabetes, 90% of whom are affected by type 2 diabetes. During the past few years, extensive efforts by others searching for genetic markers for type 2 diabetes have utilized numerous genome-wide association studies, involving thousands of patients globally. Several validated genetic markers have been found; however, combining all the discovered biomarkers still explains only a small fraction of the heritability of the disease, so the need for additional markers continues to exist.

Compugen Ltd. announced that it has signed a research and license agreement with a diagnostic company covering CGEN-226, a novel biomarker candidate for early detection of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is the most common of the dangerous pregnancy complications, occurring in 5-8% of all pregnancies, with potentially very serious effects for both the mother and the fetus. CGEN-226 is a soluble splice variant of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 1 gene. This previously unknown splice variant was predicted and selected through the use of Compugen's in silico modeling of the human transcriptome and proteome for the discovery of novel molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic uses. Following its in silico prediction and selection, CGEN-226 was validated experimentally, and patent applications covering this novel splice variant were made for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Prior to the Compugen discovery and validation of CGEN-226, a different soluble form of the VEGF receptor 1 was shown to be produced by the placenta and to be elevated in the blood stream of pregnant women who develop preeclampsia. However, the Compugen discovered CGEN-226 has subsequently been shown to be the primary soluble VEGF receptor 1 in the circulation of women with preeclampsia. This finding further supports Compugen's prediction that this variant is a candidate biomarker suitable to serve as a basis for a diagnostic test discriminating normal pregnancy and that with preeclampsia, even prior to clinical manifestation.

Compugen Ltd. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported net loss of $1,853,000 or $0.06 per basic and diluted share against net loss of $3,288,000 or $0.12 per basic and diluted share on revenues of $6,000 in the same period of last year. Operating loss was $2,024,000 against $3,376,000 in the same period of last year. Net loss from continuing operations was $1,867,000 or $0.06 per basic and diluted share against net loss from continuing operations of $3,287,000 or $0.12 per basic and diluted share in the same period of last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the company reported net loss of $1,790,000 or $0.06 per basic and diluted share on revenue of $225,000 against net loss of $8,750,000 or $0.31 per basic and diluted share on revenues of $327,000 in the same period of last year. Operating loss was $5,678,000 against $9,213,000 in the same period of last year. Net loss from continuing operations was $1,804,000 or $0.06 per basic and diluted share against net loss from continuing operations of $8,736,000 or $0.31 per basic and diluted share in the same period of last year. The significant reduction in net loss reflects the sale by Compugen during the second quarter of 2009 of a portion of its holdings of Evogene Ltd. shares for approximately $3.6 million, which is included in other income for the first nine months of 2009.