Odyssey Thera granted U.S. patents for protein-fragment complementation assays

Odyssey Thera announced today that on January 9, 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted U.S. Patent No. 7,160,691. On January 23, 2007, the USPTO also granted U.S. Patent No. 7,166,424.

The invention covered by US 7,160,691 protects Protein-fragment Complementation Assays (PCAs) based on fragments of luminescent proteins. These assays exploit the wide dynamic range and signal-to-background ratios that are the hallmarks of luciferase assays, making them ideal for in vivo applications. The invention covered by US 7,166,424 broadly covers PCAs based on fragments of fluorescent proteins, including assays with diverse and improved spectral characteristics. Fluorescence-based PCAs are the foundation of Odyssey Thera's cell-based high-content assay panel -- the largest such capability in the world.

"These patents extend our already broad coverage of PCA technology," said John K. Westwick, Ph.D., Odyssey Thera President and CSO. "They solidify Odyssey Thera's leadership position in cellular analysis and further protect the use of these strategies in live animal studies."