DENVER, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Corgenix Medical Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CONX), a worldwide developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, has received notification of two new patents for technology to which Corgenix holds exclusive worldwide licensing rights outside of Japan. The technology is incorporated in the company's AtherOx(R) product group, a next-generation technology to identify individuals at risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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US Patent # 7,455,976 was issued November 25, 2008. The patent Method of Measuring Oxidized LDL/B2-Glycoprotein I Complex Occurring in the Living Body is a method patent that incorporates newer immunochemical characteristics for the interaction between oxLDL and B2GPI to form oxLDL/B2GPI (AtherOx complexes) and their use as a standard for more accurate measuring of this complex in biological samples such as serum or plasma.
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European patent # EP 1 548-436 B1 was issued November 19, 2008. The patent is also a method patent providing additional European protection to the components and assay procedure used to measure AtherOx complexes in biological samples.
The latest patents add to previous US patents (# 5,900,359 issued May 4, 1999, Method for Determination of Oxidized Lipoproteins and Use Thereof; # 7,160,733 issued January 9, 2007, Ligand Specific to B2-glycoprotein I and Use Thereof; and # 7,422,864 issued September 9, 2008, Method for Measuring Oxidized LDL-CRP Complex and Measurement Kit.) These patents described the specific interaction of B2-glycoprotein I with the oxidized form of low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) leading to the formation of oxLDL/B2-glycoprotein I complexes (AtherOx). This interaction does not occur with the native or non-oxidized form of LDL. The most recent patent provides additional coverage to immunoassays for the detection of the oxLDL/B2GPI complexes which is the basis for Corgenix AtherOx test kits.
Douglass Simpson, President and CEO of Corgenix said, "We are very pleased to announce these important additions to our IP portfolio. We have one AtherOx related product already cleared by the FDA and several products in the later stages of the development pipeline. Since cardiovascular disease is one of the world's leading causes of death, the early detection of atherosclerosis has become increasingly important, and we are optimistic about our ability to serve this significant market."
In all countries where the use of products employing this technology has not been cleared, the products shall not be used for diagnostic use as the performance characteristics have not been established.
About AtherOx(R)
The AtherOx technology utilizes oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) complexed with the plasma protein B2GPI. Although oxLDL has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, according to results published in the Annals of N.Y. Academy of Science (2007), determination of oxLDL/B2GPI complexes, rather than oxLDL alone, may be a more physiologic and accurate way of assessing the risk of progressive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus-like disorders. Corgenix licensed this technology in 2002, and is developing additional products utilizing this unique platform. In addition to the four U.S. patents which have been issued, several others are pending.
About Corgenix Medical Corporation
Corgenix is a leader in the development and manufacturing of specialized diagnostic kits for vascular diseases, immunology disorders, and bone and joint disorders, including the world's only non-blood-based test for aspirin effect. Corgenix diagnostic products are commercialized for use in clinical laboratories throughout the world. The company currently sells over 52 diagnostic products through a global distribution network. More information is available at www.corgenix.com.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical facts are "forward looking" statements (identified by the words "believe", "estimate", "project", "expect" or similar expressions) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the company's products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, changes in the regulatory environment, and other risks detailed in the company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this press release are made as of today, based upon information currently known to management, and the company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Corgenix Medical Corporation
