Stem Cell Sciences announces that European patent no. 0695361 covering its IRES technology was upheld by the European Patent Office in Munich on 12th November 2008. The EPO Technical Board of Appeal dismissed objections against the patent raised by Institut Pasteur on 12th April 2007. SCS’ IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) technology enables researchers to monitor the activity of a gene of interest in living cells or tissues without blocking the normal function of the gene. In particular, IRES is important for evaluating the success of gene deletions (knock-outs) or insertions (knock-ins) in stem cells, which is crucial for the successful creation of transgenic mouse and rat disease models.
The decision confirms the validity of the patent protection for this technology in Europe and adds value to SCS’ current licensing and commercialisation strategy. The Company announced recently its expansion of out-licensing activities for this technology through an agreement with a leading provider of genetically modified rat and mouse models for pharmaceutical research. Furthermore, maintenance of this patent will enable SCS to complete licensing deals held up while potential licensees awaited the outcome of the appeal hearing, generating another source of licensing income.
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