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U.S. Patent # 7,422,864 was issued September 9, 2008. The patent Methodfor Measuring Oxidized LDL-CRP Complex and Measurement Kit, describes thebinding of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) with C-reactive protein(CRP) resulting in oxLDL/CRP (CRP-AtherOx) complex formation, and theimmunoassay method for measuring these complexes in blood. CRP is aninflammatory protein that has been associated with risk of cardiovasculardisease. High levels of CRP can be found in many inflammatory and infectiousdisorders, but oxLDL/CRP complexes were more specific and predictive ofatherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Tabuchi et al. J Lipid Res 2007;48:768-781).
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The latest patent adds to previous U.S. patents (# 5,900,359 issued May 4,1999, Method for Determination of Oxidized Lipoproteins and Use Thereof, and #7,160,733 issued January 9, 2007, Ligand Specific to B2-glycoprotein I and UseThereof. These patents described the specific interaction of B2-glycoprotein Iwith the oxidized form of low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) leading to theformation of oxLDL/B2-glycoprotein I complexes (AtherOx). This interactiondoes not occur with the native or non-oxidized form of LDL. An immunoassay forthe detection of the complexes was described which provides the basis for theAtherOx(R) test kits.
Douglass Simpson, President and CEO of Corgenix said, "We are very pleasedto announce this important addition to our IP portfolio. We have one productalready cleared by the FDA and several products in the later stages of thedevelopment pipeline with FDA submission expected in the next year or so.Since cardiovascular disease is one of the world's leading causes of death,the early detection of atherosclerosis has become increasingly important, andwe are optimistic about our ability to serve this significant market."
In all countries where the use of products employing this technology havenot been cleared, the products shall not be used for diagnostic use as theperformance characteristics have not been established.
About AtherOx(R)
The AtherOx(R) technology utilizes oxidized low-density-lipoprotein(oxLDL) complexed with the plasma protein B2GPI. Although oxLDL has beenimplicated in cardiovascular disease, according to results published in theAnnals of N.Y. Academy of Science (2007), determination of oxLDL/.2GPIcomplexes, rather than oxLDL alone, may be a more physiologic and accurate wayof assessing the risk of progressive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease inindividuals with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus-like disorders.Corgenix licensed this technology in 2002, and is developing additionalproducts utilizing this unique platform. In addition to the three U.S. patentswhich have been issued, several others are pending.
About Corgenix Medical Corporation
Corgenix is a leader in the development and manufacturing of specializeddiagnostic kits for vascular diseases, immunology disorders, and bone andjoint disorders, including the world's only non-blood-based test for aspirineffect. Corgenix diagnostic products are commercialized for use in clinicallaboratories throughout the world. The company currently sells over 52diagnostic products through a global distribution network. More information isavailable at http://www.corgenix.com.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical factsare "forward looking" statements (identified by the words "bel
