TILS.L Regulatory News (TILS)

14 Feb 2005 07:00

ReGen Therapeutics PLC14 February 2005 REGEN THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES GRANT OF U.S. PATENT ON USEOF COLOSTRININTM TO PROMOTE NEURONAL CELL DIFFERENTIATION London - 14th February 2005 ReGen Therapeutics Plc ("ReGen" or the "Company"), a company whose productColostrininTM has shown efficacy as a potential treatment for Alzheimer'sdisease, announces that a patent on the use of ColostrininTM as a promoter ofneuronal cell differentiation has been granted by the United States Patent andTrademark Office. The patent is owned by the Board of Regents of the Universityof Texas System and is based upon long term research at the University of TexasMedical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, which has been sponsored by ReGen. UTMB haslicensed the patented technology to ReGen under the world wide exclusive licenseagreement that exists between the two parties. The new patent covers the use of ColostrininTM, its constituent peptides andanalogues to promote neuronal cell differentiation. The selective loss of nervecells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memory, is a keyfeature in the pathogenesis of severe neurodegenerative diseases, includingAlzheimer's disease. Consequently, any treatment that can stimulate theproduction and maturation of nerve cells may be useful in preventing or slowingthese disease processes. Potential utility of this patent is expected to bewelcomed by people with Alzheimer's disease, because "the invention provides amethod to promote differentiation and subsequent conversion of potentiallydamaged cells to functional neuronal cells", said Dr. Kruzel, ScientificConsultant and Adjunct Professor at UT Medical School at Houston.* In 2004 ReGen made four major scientific announcements regarding the molecularbasis of how ColostrininTM might work, including the demonstration of its invivo neuroprotective effects. The grant of this patent adds further strength tothe intellectual property portfolio owned by or licensed to ReGen. ReGenpresently holds rights to four other patents issued since 2000 relating to theuse of ColostrininTM to treat Alzheimer's disease, other similar diseaseconditions and as a dietary supplement in combination with other substances. TheCompany has filed a number of other patent applications in relation toColostrininTM its constituent peptides and analogues and these are currentlybeing evaluated by the relevant patent authorities. Commenting on the latest patent grant, Chairman Percy Lomax said "This is anextremely pleasing start to 2005. We are delighted to collaborate with such anexcellent team of scientists at UTMB and thank them for the contribution theyhave made and are continuing to make to the activities of ReGen." *Professor Marian Kruzel is a faculty member of the Department of IntegrativeBiology and Pharmacology, the University of Texas, Medical School at Houston. Heis an internationally recognized immunologist with an established interest andexpertise in inflammation and age-related pathophysiology. He is the recipientof numerous grants and a participant in NIH funded projects. Also he serves as areviewer on several scientific journals, including Clinical and ExperimentalImmunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters, and Journal of ExperimentalTherapeutics and Oncology. He is a former chairman of the board of the CancerCoalition of America. Through a consultancy agreement with the Company Prof. Kruzel is responsible tothe Board for scientific research and development and management of thescientific aspects of future clinical development on behalf of the Company For further information, please contact: Andrew MarshallMarshall Robinson RoeTel No 020 7960 6007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange