MedMira Granted Hepatitis C Patent in Europe

Patent Further Protects MedMira's Diagnostic Technology

04-Jan-2006

MedMira Inc. announced that it has been granted a patent for the HCV Mosaic Antigen by the European Patent Office. This is the company's first major patent on its rapid diagnostic technology in Europe, and paves the way for the world's first combination HIV and hepatitis C instant rapid test.

Hepatitis C (HCV) impacts over 170 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization, which also indicates over 40% of individuals with HIV are co-infected with HCV. A combination rapid HIV/HCV test can play a critical role in patient outcomes.

Patent No. EP 1328 811 B1 will ensure that MedMira's rapid HCV diagnostic technology is protected as it is brought to market in Europe. The patented technology is a key component in MedMira's rapid HCV tests and HIV/HCV combination tests slated for market entry in 2007.

The HCV Mosaic Antigen is a highly immunoreactive mosaic antigen composition containing a plurality of different antigenic peptides encoded from the core region of the HCV genome. The granted patent also describes a test kit utilizing the antigen, and a method for its use for the purpose of detecting antibodies to HCV in a test sample.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous