Cambridge, UK, December 8th - Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine has secured new patents in Europe and the USA relating to Hepatitis C and its SelahDOTS™ fluorescent nanoparticles, as it continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio.
The hepatitis C patent extends an existing patent, and refers to technology allowing the genotypic identification of drug resistant mutations in the 4 major global genotypes of HCV. With the imminent launch of a series of new small molecule therapies in HCV, this technology will allow accurate monitoring of when drug resistance appears in individual patients, improving patient care.
The SelahDOTS™ nanoparticles technology covers a generic approach to the development of new diagnostic and imaging reagents using carbon-based non-toxic nanoparticles. This platform technology has multiple applications in clinical diagnostics and was originally developed through a licence from Clemson University. The grant of the patent now allows Lab21 to develop a series of new product and service applications in areas such as in vivo imaging, immunodiagnostics and point-of-care biomarker analysis,
The securing of these patents builds on Lab21’s growing intellectual property portfolio as it expands its competitive proprietary position in pharmacogenetic markers, disease markers and its assay technology.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO at Lab21 commented: ‘The HCV patent further strengthens our portfolio in the important HCV diagnostic area while the nanoparticle platform technology has potential to transform the ways in which particulate diagnostics are used, particularly in vivo, where particle-related toxicity has been a significant problem. Additionally we are seeing early development progress in incorporating the SelahDOTS™ technology in our own new molecular and protein based assays.’
Graham Mullis, Lab21 CEO added: ‘The development of an extensive intellectual property portfolio will be an important part of Lab21’s strategy as we continue to grow. Patents such as these will ensure we are able to remain uniquely competitive and ensure we are able to provide our customers with the most advanced products and services in the markets we choose to serve.’
For further information:
Lab21 Graham Mullis, CEO Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSDO t: +44 (0)1223 395461 e: graham.mullis@lab-21.com berwyn.clarke@lab21.com
For media and investor enquiries: College Hill Tony Stephenson/Gemma Howe/Nicole Yost t: +44 (0)20 7866 7864 m: +44 (0)7989 855113 e: lab21@collegehill.com
About Lab21
Lab21 is a global provider of state-of-the-art diagnostic products and services, supporting blood bank screening, medical diagnostics and drug discovery. Its customers include international healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
The product division of the Company manufactures immunodiagnostic kits and reagents that are distributed into 110 international countries and is focused on infectious diseases for the blood-banking market.
The service division has a growing test portfolio providing companion diagnostics and high technology molecular assays for the growing integration of personalised medicine into healthcare. These services are currently in infectious diseases, oncology and pharmacogenetics areas with emerging interests in cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Lab21’s clinical reference laboratory and corporate office is based in Cambridge and has additional UK sites in Newmarket, Bridport, Liverpool and Ipswich. It also has operations in South Carolina, USA. The Company’s investors include Merlin Biosciences, Nexus Medical Partners, Medicis Capital, Rowan Dartington and Kreos Capital. Website: www.lab21.com
