Last checked at 11 Dec 2006 10:49
PROTEOME SCIENCES plc PRESS RELEASE Issuance of US Stroke Patent
11th December 2006. Proteome Sciences plc is pleased to announce the issuance of US Patent Number 7,144,705 entitled "Diagnostic Assay for Stroke". The claims of the patent relate to methods of diagnosing stroke by measuring the levels of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), one of Proteome Sciences' proprietary biomarkers discovered in the blood of stroke patients.
The presence of H-FABP in the blood of patients suffering from stroke was first discovered in 1999 by scientists working at the University of Geneva in a collaboration with Proteome Sciences. The two parties have worked extensively since that time to validate its utility for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of stroke. This has resulted in the discovery of further protein biomarkers, all of which are subject to patent applications in the major patent jurisdictions including the US, Europe and the Far East, from which combinations of stroke markers will be used to make panels for the diagnosis and prognosis of stroke in blood.
Proteome Sciences has previously announced four licensing agreements relating to its portfolio of stroke biomarkers. Its licensees continue to undertake their respective development programmes and the company looks forward to further progress with both existing and future licensees in 2007.
Commenting on the issuance Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive of Proteome Sciences said:
"The issuance of a US patent on one of our earliest biomarker candidates is a significant milestone for the company. It validates the patentability of proteomics biomarkers in the largest economic market and underpins the value and importance of our extensive intellectual property portfolio in protein biomarkers.
We anticipate the issuance of further patents relating to H-FABP in other territories following on from the US allowance and that the patent applications for the other stroke biomarkers will proceed to grant.
The issuance of the first US patent relating to our stroke biomarkers will enhance the continuing licensing process and we expect that further of the major global players in clinical diagnostics will now want to include and develop our biomarkers as in vitro diagnostic tests."
Ends Notes to editors:Proteome Sciences plc
Proteome Sciences, a global leader in applied proteomics, uses high sensitivity proprietary technologies to detect differentially expressed proteins in diseases. The protein biomarkers discovered in body fluids or tissues are validated, developed and commercialised as diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic products through strategic alliances and out-licensing.
Through its unique ProteoSHOP‚® toolbox, Proteome Sciences provides high sensitivity/high throughput proteomics solutions, including traditional two dimensional gel-based electrophoresis (2DE) and proprietary gel-free protein sequence tag technologies (PST‚®, qPST¢â€ž¢& TMT‚®), to major pharma, biotechnology and diagnostic companies, to discover and exploit protein biomarkers. Sensitizer‚® chemical mass tags have been developed separately as a series of stand-alone reagents.
For further information please visit www.proteomics.com .
Enquiries:
Proteome Sciences plc
Dr. Ian Pike, Business Development Director
Email: ian.pike@proteomics.com
Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive Officer
Email: christopher.pearce@proteomics.com
Tel: +44 (0)1932 865065
Public Relations for Proteome Sciences
IKON AssociatesAdrian ShawTel: +44 (0)1483 535102Mobile: +44 (0)797 9900733
Email: adrian@ikonassociates.com
PROTEOME SCIENCES PLC