U.S. grants another two patents to GeneNews on Sentinel Principle

GeneNews (TSX:GEN) was granted two new U.S. patents on its core Sentinel Principle platform technology, covering “Biomarkers for Diagnosing Schizophrenia” and “Mild Osteoarthritis Biomarkers and Uses Thereof.”

The schizophrenia patent covers any analysis of a blood sample in which the expression pattern of a 9-gene panel is assessed in a diagnosis of schizophrenia.  The mild osteoarthritis patent protects any analysis of a blood sample in which a characteristic expression of a specific marker gene is determined in a diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis.

“Both schizophrenia and mild osteoarthritis are difficult to diagnose due to the lack of objective, convenient and, in the case of mild osteoarthritis, non-invasive, measures for assessing the likelihood that a patient has the condition,” COO Gailina Liew said in a statement.

“These two patents protect unique clinically actionable biomarkers that can be used to develop simple blood-based tests to facilitate early diagnosis of these diseases,” she said, adding that the company is interested in “engaging with partners that can work with us to co-develop these products.”