Proteome Regulatory News (PRM)

23 May 2006 15:08

PROTEOME SCIENCES plcProteome Sciences' Licence Agreement with bioMerieux in StrokeMay 23, 2006Proteome Sciences is pleased to announce a licence agreement with bioMerieux touse its biomarkers in blood for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring ofstroke. These were discovered and validated using a combination of differentproteomic approaches, all of which are available for external use through itsproprietary ProteoSHOP‚® platform.Stroke is one of the top three causes of death and its incidence in the sevenmajor world markets is expected to increase in the next ten years because of anageing population. Long term disability caused by stroke is a major economicburden on healthcare systems, current treatment options are limited and generalawareness of stroke is poor.Under the terms of the research licence bioMerieux will test Proteome Sciences'biomarkers for a stroke diagnostic panel across a well defined and sizeablepatient population at a renowned neurological centre of excellence inContinental Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.Christopher Pearce, CEO of Proteome Sciences, said:"This is an important agreement for Proteome Sciences. bioMerieux is a majorglobal player in clinical diagnostics and an ideal partner to take ProteomeSciences biomarkers into routine usage around the world in large centrallaboratories for high throughput testing." * Ends - Notes to Editors:StrokeStroke is the brain equivalent of a heart attack. Blood must flow in andthrough the brain for it to function. If its flow is obstructed by a blood clotmoving to the brain or by narrowing or blocking of blood vessels, the brainloses its energy supply, causing damage to tissues leading to stroke.Annually, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Of these, 5.5 milliondie and another 5 million are left permanently disabled, placing a burden onfamily and community.Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US (160,000 deaths) withannual costs of $57.9bn for stroke-medical related costs and disability and isthe single most common cause of severe disability. 750,000 people are diagnosedin the US annually having new or recent strokes.Proteome Sciences plcProteome Sciences plc, a global leader in applied proteomics, uses highsensitivity proprietary technologies to detect differentially expressedproteins in diseases. The protein biomarkers discovered in body fluids ortissues are validated, developed and commercialised as diagnostic, prognosticor therapeutic products through strategic alliances and out-licensing.Through its unique ProteoSHOP‚® toolbox, Proteome Sciences provides highsensitivity/high throughput proteomics solutions, including traditional twodimensional gel-based electrophoresis (2DE) and proprietary gel-free proteinsequence tag technologies (PST‚®, qPST¢â€ž¢ & TMT‚®), to major pharma, biotechnologyand diagnostic companies, to discover and exploit protein biomarkers. Chemicalmass tags for isobaric labelling have been developed as stand-alone reagents.For further information please visit www.proteomics.comEnquiries:Proteome Sciences plcChristopher Pearce Chief ExecutiveJames Malthouse Finance DirectorTel: +44 (0)1932 865065Fax: +44 (0)1932 868969Email: helpdesk@proteomics.comPublic Relations for Proteome SciencesIKON AssociatesAdrian ShawTel: +44 (0)1483 535102Mobile: +44 (0)797 9900733Email: adrian@ikonassociates.comENDPROTEOME SCIENCES PLC