PROCYON BIOPHARMA INC ("PBP-T") - Allowance of Second U.S. Patent for Colorectal Cancer - Screening Test
Procyon BioPharma announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for the patent
application No. 09/270,103 pertaining to colorectal cancer screening using a rectal mucous sample. The patent
represents an improved version of the COLOPATH(TM) technology initially covered under U.S.Patent No. 5,416,025 as
well as patents issued in Australia, South Africa and allowed in Europe.
COLOPATH(TM) is a diagnostic/screening product resulting from discoveries made by researchers at the University of
Toronto, the rights to which were originally licensed by Procyon and for which the company has recently announced an
outright purchase. It is a non-invasive test that has a significantly higher degree of sensitivity than screening tests based
on detecting blood or DNA in stool samples. COLOPATH(TM) detects patients with colorectal pathology that includes
cancer, large polyps (greater than 1 cm.) and/or conditions that may predispose them to cancer. It involves the simple
application of rectal mucous to the test which provides a chemical reaction with a specific analyte present in the mucous.
The test could be easily performed during a routine physical check-up in a physician's office. Claims allowed in the new
patent include detection of the chemical analyte in the mucous, a long chain aliphatic aldehyde, and quantitatively
measuring it for assessing the presence of neoplasia, precancer or cancerous conditions in the colon and rectum.
"This patent allowance of the improved version of the COLOPATH(TM) technology adds considerable value to our
unique test for colorectal cancer screening as we move forward rapidly towards eventual commercialization of
COLOPATH(TM)," said Hans J. Mader, President and CEO of Procyon BioPharma. "In addition, the determination of
the analyte in the mucous has allowed us to better understand the underlying biology that may lead to a pathology in the
colon, the early detection of which would be critical for effective treatment," he said.
Procyon BioPharma Inc. is a publicly listed, biopharmaceutical Company focused principally on advancing two powerful
platform technologies that have the potential to diagnose and treat cancer. Procyon's non-pathogenic Antinuclear
Autoantibodies (ANAs) bind specifically to multiple cancer cell types strongly enhancing the immune response to cancer
cells. Prostate Secretory Protein (PSP94) is a naturally occurring human protein that has the potential to treat prostate
cancer by inhibiting abnormal prostate cell growth. In addition, the estimation of PSP94 levels in prostate cancer patients
may have prognostic and diagnostic applications. Procyon also has two late-stage products: FIBROSTAT(TM), a topical
cream for the management of newly formed scars following surgery or burns and COLOPATH(TM), a rapid, non-invasive
screening test for colorectal cancer.
Procyon's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol, PBP. TEL: (514) 685-9283 Procyon
BioPharma Inc.
Hans J. Mader, President and CEO E-mail: hmader@procyonbiopharma.com Internet: www.procyonbiopharma.com
TEL: (514) 843-2309 Nathalie Bourque |
