NAMUR, Belgium, Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE MKT: VNRX), a life sciences company focused on developing blood tests for a broad range of cancer types and other conditions, today announced the grant of U.S. Patent Number 9222937 entitled “Method for Detecting Nucleosomes.”
The new U.S. patent, issued today and expiring in August 2032, relates to VolitionRx’s Nucleosomics® platform for the detection of fragments of chromosomes, called nucleosomes, circulating in the blood. Nucleosomes consist of a strand of DNA wrapped around eight protein molecules, called histones. They are released into the blood following the breakdown of dead cells, including cancer cells. This latest patent for the detection of nucleosomes will support the first two patents granted to VolitionRx in the U.S., which cover the Company’s core technologies: the detection of epigenetic modifications to the histones in nucleosomes that are caused by cancer; and the detection of complexes of nucleosomes that have become bound to cancer-related proteins.
Dr. Jake Micallef, Chief Scientific Officer of VolitionRx, remarked, “VolitionRx’s patent portfolio is growing and includes both core patents that cover key cancer-detection technologies as well as supportive patents for techniques used in the wider process. Two of VolitionRx’s core technology patents are already issued in the U.S. and this third patent is the Company’s first supportive patent. The grant of this third U.S. patent reinforces VolitionRx’s exclusive market position with its unique Nucleosomics® technology.”
Cameron Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of VolitionRx, added, “With the grant of a third patent in the U.S., VolitionRx continues to make progress on our path of commercializing our proprietary Nucleosomics® platform for accurate and affordable detection of early-stage cancer in simple blood tests and helping as many patients as possible. Last year was an important year for the Company, with the release of compelling results of over 90% accuracy in detecting colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancer. We look forward to 2016 as a milestone year for VolitionRx, as we anticipate bringing our first panel of NuQ® cancer tests to market for clinical use in Europe and we continue our focused efforts towards initial market entry in the U.S. and the rest of the world.”
About VolitionRx
VolitionRx is a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests for different types of cancer. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream an indication that cancer is present.
VolitionRx’s goal is to make the tests as common and simple to use, for both patients and doctors, as existing diabetic and cholesterol blood tests. VolitionRx’s research and development activities are currently centred in Belgium as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the U.S. and ultimately, worldwide.
Visit VolitionRx’s website (www.volitionrx.com) or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube.
Media Contacts
Anita Heward, VolitionRx
a.heward@volitionrx.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 7756 034243
Kirsten Thomas, The Ruth Group
kthomas@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (508) 280-6592
Investor Contacts
Scott Powell, VolitionRx
S.Powell@volitionrx.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 650-1351
Lee Roth, The Ruth Group
lroth@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7012
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this press release may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “aims,” “targets,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “optimizing,” “potential,” “goal,” “suggests,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the effectiveness of the Company’s bodily-fluid-based diagnostic tests as well as the Company’s ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. For instance, if we fail to develop and commercialize diagnostic products, we may be unable to execute our plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include the Company’s failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products in the clinical IVD market; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in the Company’s development pipeline or any other diagnostic products the Company might develop; the Company will face fierce competition and the Company’s intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics market and its rapid technological change; and other risks identified in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Nucleosomics®, NuQ® and HyperGenomics® and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd
