From rxpgnews.com
Patent Filed for Transrenal-DNA Detection Technology for Prenatal Detection of Down Syndrome
By Xenomics, Inc.,
May 27, 2005 - 6:31:38 PM
Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), a developer of next-generation medical DNA technologies, has announced that it has filed a provisional patent connected to its discovery of methods to detect the genetic abnormality Down syndrome through the Company's proprietary Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA) detection technology.
"This is a major milestone accomplishment because it demonstrates the progress we are making in the development of noninvasive prenatal diagnostic tests for the public," said Xenomics' CEO Dr. Randy White. "The discovery of these markers by our scientific team and the filing of this patent also underscore the viability of our primary mission to create and market a simple urine test that effectively, easily and safely screens for Down syndrome in the fetus of pregnant mothers, based on our Tr-DNA technology platform."
The Xenomics provisional patent provides for methods that use a comparative analysis of carefully selected fragments of DNA contained in Chromosome 21, where the abnormality in Down syndrome patients occurs. Among certain of these fragments, called CpG islands, very specific markers referred to as methylation sites, have been found which are clearly distinct from normal chromosomal DNA. This invention is expected to be useful for diagnosing the presence or absence of Down syndrome using DNA samples taken from maternal bodily fluids, including urine, plasma, serum and amniotic fluid.
In the Xenomics study, two distinctive genetic markers were found in repeated studies of DNA obtained from nine volunteers who have Down syndrome. Those two markers were not present in samples collected from a control group of people who do not have Down syndrome.
The provisional patent filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office validates Xenomics' continued progress in the development of its revolutionary Tr-DNA technology platform, which can detect DNA that traverses the kidneys and eventually are eliminated in the urine. The Company is using its unique technology platform to develop a range of tests for genetic abnormalities, HIV, TB and other diseases and conditions.
Xenomics recently announced execution of signed contracts to begin human clinical trials to test prenatal tests based on its proprietary Down syndrome detection technology. The clinical trials will be conducted in collaboration with two prominent healthcare centers, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, one of the nation's largest healthcare institutions, and Eastern Virginia Medical School, a leading research and healthcare institution.
"We are anxious to begin further validation of these important markers on clinical samples," said Dr. Samuil Umansky, Xenomics co-founder and President. "Even as we begin our clinical studies we will continue our efforts to look for additional markers for Down syndrome and other life-threatening genetic problems like trisomy 13 and 18."
Xenomics is dedicated to creating and eventually marketing noninvasive, prenatal tests for a wide range of diseases and health conditions. Its first initiatives focus on the development of safe, non-invasive and highly accurate urine tests to screen for Down syndrome, TB, and HIV. The Company believes its proprietary Tr-DNA technology can enable the creation of prenatal tests that are more accurate, more informative and can be conducted much earlier in pregnancy than existing DNA analysis methods, such as amniocentesis. In particular, urine analysis offers none of the risks, discomforts or costs associated with amniocentesis, in which amniotic fluid is extracted through a nine-inch needle inserted into the uterus, to obtain fetal DNA.
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