SynX Granted Key European Patent for Stroke Diagnostic

02-Dec-2004

Nanogen, Inc. announced its SynX subsidiary was issued European Patent "Method for Diagnosing and Distinguishing Stroke" by the European Patent Office. This patent relates to a diagnostic kit and method of measuring the presence of both an ischemic marker and a brain endothelial cell membrane protein to indicate that a patient has suffered a stroke and, if so, whether it was an ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebral event. In October the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted SynX a patent for similar claims related to the rapid, point-of-care stoke diagnostic test that the company is developing for emergency medicine.

The patent covers both a method and a diagnostic kit for analyzing the levels of proteins released from the brain during a stroke. By measuring the presence of an ischemic marker protein such as a myelin basic protein, S100 protein, neuronal specific enolase, or similar molecules, and a brain endothelial membrane protein such as thrombomodulin or a similar molecule, a physician can determine the occurrence of a stroke. The time that has elapsed since stroke onset can also be estimated, which is a critical value in determining if "clot buster" drugs such as tissue plasminogen activators (TPAs) would be an effective treatment. Additionally, analyses of these proteins provide information as to the type of stroke and the extent of brain damage, thereby allowing a physician to quickly determine the best course of treatment. A rapid and accurate diagnostic for stroke, which permits effective treatments to be employed during the critical period of time before permanent damage occurs, currently does not exist for the estimated 650,000 Europeans and 700,000 Americans a year who experience a stroke. Hospitals are limited to clinical consultation by a neurologist, symptom evaluation, chest X-ray, electrical heart activity (ECG) tests, and expensive imaging technology to belatedly confirm events.

"This latest addition to SynX's growing patent portfolio related to its stroke diagnostic provides broader claims to valuable methods and technologies," said Howard C. Birndorf, Nanogen chairman and chief executive officer. "SynX's rapid diagnostic can provide critical, timely information to assist the healthcare community to ultimately reduce the number of patients who suffer permanent neurologic damage as a result of stroke."

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/41246/synx-granted-key-european-patent-for-stroke-diagnostic.html