Prometheus Laboratories Inc. Exclusive Licensee Of Recently-Issued Patent - OmpC Antigen Included In Diagnostic Test For Crohn's Disease
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Prometheus Laboratories Inc. announced the issuance of U.S. Patent #7,138,237 for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Crohn's disease using the OmpC antigen. This proprietary technology is used in the new Prometheus(R) IBD Serology 7 diagnostic test, the Company's recently launched and most advanced test for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prometheus had previously licensed exclusive rights to the technology under an agreement with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Regents of the University of California (UCLA).
The patent provides a method of diagnosing Crohn's disease by determining the presence or absence of OmpC IgA antibodies in a patient. The presence of the OmpC IgA antibodies is indicative of Crohn's disease(1). The OmpC IgA antibody has been associated with a unique subset of patients who have a more severe form of Crohn's disease. The presence and magnitude of immune responses to the OmpC antigen has also been associated with more aggressive disease among children with Crohn's disease(2).
Prometheus is a leader in providing therapeutics and diagnostics for inflammatory bowel disease and has been at the forefront in offering unique, proprietary testing of serological markers with high levels of accuracy and clinical value. The Prometheus IBD Serology 7 diagnostic test has an overall accuracy of 92% and is the most comprehensive test available to help physicians both diagnose inflammatory bowel disease and to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis(3).
IBD Serology Background
Gastroenterologists are often faced with patients that require multiple diagnostic procedures to accurately diagnose their exact disease. Physicians seek diagnostic tests that are highly accurate and thus provide the best information possible to aid in making an appropriate diagnosis and choice of therapy for each patient. Serological testing is one of the procedures that physicians use to help with diagnosis. Serological testing involves taking a small sample of a patient's blood and analyzing it for disease markers that are specific for one disease or another, such as for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine and colon and can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects only the colon and only affects the innermost lining of the colon. These conditions are difficult to manage clinically and consume a substantial amount of healthcare resources in terms of physician time, procedure and medications(4).
About Prometheus
Prometheus Laboratories Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to developing new ways to help physicians individualize patient care. Prometheus focuses on the treatment, diagnosis and detection of gastrointestinal, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and disorders. Prometheus' strategy includes the marketing and delivery of pharmaceutical products complemented by its proprietary, high-value diagnostic testing services. By integrating these therapeutic and diagnostic services, Prometheus addresses the full continuum of care, thereby providing physicians with a comprehensive solution to treat chronic diseases. Prometheus' corporate offices are located in San Diego, California. Additional information about Prometheus can be found at www.prometheuslabs.com.
This press release contains certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To the extent that any statements made in this news release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any such statements due to various factors. Prometheus cautions that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. The Company may not achieve anticipated revenue growth or maintain market acceptance of its products, or acquire, license or develop any other products for a variety of reasons. It is difficult to predict the impact of competitive products and pricing and new product development and launch. There can be no assurance that the Company can successfully commercialize, penetrate or grow the market for its products.
(1) Landers CJ, Cohavy O, Misra R, et al. Selected loss of tolerance evidenced by Crohn's disease-associated immune responses to auto and microbial antigens. Gastroenterology. 2002;123:689-699. (2) Dubinsky MC, Lin Y-C, Dutridge D, et al, for the Western Regional Pediatric IBD Research Alliance. Serum immune responses predict disease progression. Am J Gastroenterology. 2006;101:360-367. (3) Data on file, DX-001, Prometheus Laboratories Inc., San Diego, Calif. (4) Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America http://www.ccfa.org (18 December 2006)
Prometheus Laboratories Inc.CONTACT: Beth Kriegel, Senior Director, Finance and Investor Relations ofPrometheus Laboratories Inc., +1-858-410-2516
Web site: http://www.prometheuslabs.com/