This patent, covering the measurement of HE4 and antibodies to HE4 in blood, serum and plasma, will allow Fujirebio Diagnostics to continue developing its biomarker for screening, detecting, monitoring and prognosis of ovarian cancer. It also includes claims in which HE4 is used in conjunction with other ovarian cancer markers such as Fujirebio Diagnostics’ CA 125, the industry’s current gold standard for monitoring ovarian cancer.
Dr Olle Nilsson, vice president and chief scientific officer, Fujirebio Diagnostics, said: “While the medical industry has familiarized the public with warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, there still remains a void of technologies and tools to effectively identify and manage the disease. As we’re continually looking for solutions to combat this lethal cancer, this patent gives us the flexibility to explore the use of HE4 at various stages of care from screening and detection to monitoring and prognosis.”