The patent covers Full COLD-PCR, a foundation for the company’s highly sensitive ICE COLD-PCR technology. The COLD-PCR technology is owned by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston USA, and exclusively licensed to Transgenomic.
Paul Kinnon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transgenomic, commented, "This newly-issued patent provides broad intellectual property protection for a foundation of our ICE COLD-PCR technology, which enables researchers and clinicians to detect and monitor the genomic status of tumors by analyzing circulating tumor-derived DNA present in minute quantities in the blood or urine of patients. This approach has already demonstrated the potential to transform cancer research and treatment. It is expected to significantly improve patient care by enabling ongoing monitoring of response to therapy while reducing the need for invasive tissue biopsies."
The new European patent helps extend the scope and longevity of the COLD-PCR intellectual property portfolio, which was originally developed by the laboratory of Dr. Mike Makrigiorgos at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Transgenomic is also pursuing additional European patent coverage specific to ICE COLD-PCR technology.
ICE COLD-PCR can detect mutated tumor-derived DNA with high sensitivity in patient specimens that contain large amounts of "normal" DNA, such as blood, urine or tissue, thereby enabling DNA analysis of the tumor without the need for tissue biopsy.