Lab21 secures new patents
Portfolio grows in Hepatitis C drug resistance and fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticle technology
Lab21, the UK-based specialist in personalised medicine, has secured new patents in Europe and the US 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 four 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.
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 development of an extensive intellectual property portfolio will be an important part of Lab21’s strategy as we continue to grow,’ said Graham Mullis, Lab21 ceo. ‘Patents such as these will ensure we are able to remain uniquely competitive and ensure we are able to provide the most advanced products and services in the markets we choose to serve.’
