Patent News:
SIBIA Neurosciences Issued U.S. Patent on Automated High-Throughput Screening Equipment and Assay Methods for Drug Discovery
LA JOLLA, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:NNM - news) today announced that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 5,670,113 from the Patent and Trademark office, entitled ``Automated Analysis Equipment and Assay Method for Detecting Cell Surface Protein and/or Cytoplasmic Receptor Function Using Same.'' This patent contains broad claims on automated measurement instruments and related assay methods for use in functional high-throughput screening and profiling of compounds to identify new drug leads.
A key feature of the technology covered by this patent is that it provides for the first time a way to initiate and measure transient events, such as the modulation of ion channels or receptor/ion channel complexes in cells to which a test compound has been added. A particular cell attribute, or signal, is automatically measured continuously over a period of time. In this way, a time course of the signal can be obtained. The measurable attribute or signal could include fluorescence, which is used by SIBIA; however, the patent claims are not limited to a fluorescent signal. The system also automates many drug screening functions, reducing laboratory work time as well as the potential for human error. This is the first patent in a series of U.S. applications SIBIA has pending to protect this technology. Foreign applications are also pending, and a patent has already been granted in Australia.
``This patent, covering high-throughput functional bioassay technology, represents an integral part of our drug discovery platform.'' commented William T. Comer, Ph.D., SIBIA's President and CEO. ``We developed this technology because we are pursuing a number of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channel drug targets which are rapidly activated and inactivated. Other types of molecular targets can also produce transient signals that can be assayed. In order to be able to capture these rapid events and extract useful information from them, a different approach was required. We have been utilizing this technology to quickly screen a number of molecular targets to identify novel, target-selective compounds with functional activity. Compounds identified with this technology are now in development both internally and at certain of our corporate partners.''
Current methods used to generate similar types of data typically involve electrophysiological techniques, which require highly skilled researchers and are low throughput. This limits their use as a primary screen if large compound libraries are to be evaluated, and highlights the advantages offered by SIBIA's approach.
``The issuance of this patent further establishes SIBIA as a pioneer and leader in the area of functional bioassays and high-throughput drug screening,'' Dr. Comer added. ``The patent enhances our overall intellectual property estate. It also complements `reporter gene' functional assay approaches that are covered by other issued SIBIA patents, which are amenable to this instrumentation as well. We have licensed this patent on a limited basis to Aurora Biosciences and are in discussions with other interested groups.''
SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc. is engaged in the discovery and development of novel, small molecule therapeutics for nervous system disorders based on the Company's functional assays encompassing human drug targets that mediate the molecular processes involved in such disorders. SIBIA is focusing its efforts on discovering and developing compounds for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, depression, head trauma, epilepsy, chronic pain, schizophrenia and other
neurological, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The Company currently has collaborations with Eli Lilly & Company, Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein. These risks and uncertainties include SIBIA's early stage of development, the new and uncertain state of SIBIA's technologies, SIBIA's future capital needs and the uncertainty of receiving additional funding, uncertainties regarding patents, proprietary rights and regulatory matters, and other research, development and market risks.
These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully set forth in SIBIA's most recently filed Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
SOURCE SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc. |
