Phylos Significantly Broadens Its Patent Portfolio For Its Profusion(TM) Technology Platform
LEXINGTON, Mass., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Phylos Inc. today announced the issuance of U.S. patent, number 6,258,558, entitled, ``Selection of Proteins Using RNA-Protein Fusions.'' The technology covered under this patent, which is licensed exclusively to Phylos from the Massachusetts General Hospital, forms the basis of the Phylos PROfusion(TM) technology, a novel in vitro combinatorial biology platform. The PROfusion(TM) platform is used by Phylos to select and evolve proteins, such as antibody mimics, that have high- affinity for specific protein targets.
The patent provides methods for the construction of libraries of the protein-mRNA molecules that are the fundamental element of the PROfusion(TM) technology platform and allows for the selection of a protein of interest and its encoding nucleic acid. The unique in vitro covalent linkage of the genetic tag (genotype) to the protein that it codes for (phenotype) enables the rapid selection of specific proteins, which have desired properties, from large mixed populations of starting protein structures. Once proteins are selected, their population can be significantly enriched by PCR-amplification of the genetic tag that is attached to each protein. Strict control of the selection conditions, together with sequential rounds of selection and amplification allows Phylos scientists to evolve proteins that possess specific characteristics of interest, such as high-affinity or specificity.
``We are very pleased with the progress that we are making in building a strong patent position around our core technology platform,'' said Gustav Christensen, Chief Executive Officer of Phylos. In recent months Phylos has announced the grant of several patents, US 6,194,550, US 6,207,446 and US 6,214,553 that consolidate its proprietary position with respect to its technology platform.
Phylos uses its PROfusion(TM) technology for a variety of applications. When applied in conjunction with its novel human protein scaffold, Phylos is able to produce large numbers of high-affinity, target-specific antibody mimics called TRINECTIN(TM) binding proteins. When applied to tissue proteome libraries, PROfusion(TM) technology enables the identification of protein- protein, enzyme:substrate or drug-protein interactions. The application of tissue proteome libraries will be useful in pathway elucidation and target validation as described in the recent JBC publication (Hammond, et al., JBC 276 (24), 20898-20906), and in the identification of counter-screen targets in small drug discovery. Phylos anticipates that TRINECTIN(TM) binding proteins will have multiple applications including use as content for high density protein arrays. The TRINECTIN(TM) proteome arrays are likely to be used by research scientists to look for proteins from biological samples, such as tumor biopsies, that are elevated or depressed as a consequence of disease or drug administration. In the long-term, it is Phylos' belief that the antibody-mimics can be developed into a novel class of therapeutic proteins that will be a useful alternative to monoclonal antibody therapeutics.
For additional information, visit the Company's Internet web site at www.Phylos.com
SOURCE: Phylos Inc. |
