Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions). First up is Charles Duncan, JMP Securities.
Charles Duncan - JMP Securities
My first question is regarding the Sigma or the traction Sigma is getting, Edward I was at site for neuroscience and there was a surprise out of that, and then I spoke with some of the folks at Sigma that are selling the products. Can you tell me if you’ve gotten any sense for the how high the demand has been for animals versus the broader service? I have heard it's pretty good. What's the feedback you’ve gotten from Sigma?
Edward Lanphier
The feedback I have Charles is from the same Society for Neuroscience, as you know they had a large boost there plus they sponsored a corporate symposium, which was again as you know, but I think others may not know was absolutely wall-to-wall standing room only. The reactions that I got from the attendees of the meeting in the symposium, as well as from the Sigma people who were there is that there is a very high level of interest in the program and I think they have already announced that what is the thought that Michael J. Fox has already ordered 15 or 20, I can't remember, but I will just say 15 targets in transgenic rat models from Sigma and that's just one of the disease areas.
I know they are planning to do these same kinds of symposiums at cardiovascular meetings, the toxicology meetings and other disease, cancer meetings. So, this is an area as I said in the prepared remarks that it’s an example of Sigma's passion and enthusiasm to the technology and their commitment to monetizing.
Charles Duncan - JMP Securities
Okay. Then my follow-up question is on SP-509 development strategy. Edward now that company is pretty well capitalized and you have identified what looks to be a real responder group, could you perhaps contrast that thought process regarding partnering versus perhaps a more capital efficient clinical development plan and what your thought is there and perhaps if you are going to move forward with 509 in diabetic neuropathy, your sense of the size of trial order made into not actual numbers?
Edward Lanphier
Well, Charles. Let me try and repeat what we have said in other settings and again on this call. We are in active discussions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies about the next phase of development of SP-509 or simply put partnering discussions. Those conversations are augmented, based upon the data that you have all now seen presented at Society for Neuroscience.
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