U.S. patent issues for gene expression profiles associated with chronic kidney allograft rejection, licensed exclusively to Transplant Genomics Inc

Mansfield, MA, Sept. 29, 2017 --  

U.S. patent issues for gene expression profiles associated with chronic kidney allograft rejection, licensed exclusively to Transplant Genomics Inc.

Sept 29, 2017

Mansfield, MA —

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has been issued a patent (US 9,752,191) covering gene expression profiles associated with chronic kidney allograft nephropathy.  Based on a research effort led by the late Dr. Daniel Salomon, the inventions described in this patent have been exclusively licensed to Transplant Genomics Inc. 

After analyzing over 50,000 known or putative gene sequences in peripheral blood, Dr. Salomon’s team identified a consensus set of gene expression-based molecular biomarkers associated with chronic allograft nephropathy and/or interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (CAN/IFTA) and subtypes.  Research has shown that 5 year post kidney transplant protocol biopsies have indicated that greater than 50% of recipients have mild CAN/IFTA and by 10 years, over 50% have severe CAN/IFTA.  Predicting graft outcomes strictly based on the kidney biopsy is difficult and has significant costs and risks to the patient.  There is a pressing medical need to identify early stages of CAN/IFTA at a time when changes in therapy may alter outcomes.  The new gene sets will enable the development of future tests for the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and/or subtyping of CAN/IFTA.

Transplant Genomics, through its strategic alliance with TSRI, has exclusive rights to commercialize this new class of expression biomarkers.  This patent is part of a larger patent portfolio that includes over 20 patent applications exclusively-licensed by TGI from TSRI and Northwestern University. The ‘192 patent is the first to issue in the portfolio and provides an indication that TGI is well positioned over time to obtain broad coverage for testing and monitoring patients post-transplant in order to promote early detection of transplant rejection. 

Dr. Stan Rose, CEO of Transplant Genomics commented, “We are very excited to share in this breakthrough discovery from TSRI.  We believe the research at TSRI will have a profound impact on the future of transplant diagnostics and will enable TGI to further expand its product portfolio to cover the entire range of transplant rejection.  The work described in this patent will enable us to develop future diagnostic tests targeting chronic rejection in kidney transplant recipients, complementing our current product pipeline which already includes tests to detect sub-clinical and clinical acute rejection.” 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Darren Lee, Transplant Genomics Inc., at 781-454-6523 [email protected], or Cara Miller, The Scripps Research Institute 858-784-8846 [email protected]

About Transplant Genomics Inc.
Transplant Genomics Inc. (TGI) is a molecular diagnostics company committed to improving organ transplant outcomes, with an initial focus on kidney transplant recipients. Working with the transplant community, TGI is commercializing a suite of tests enabling diagnosis and prediction of transplant recipient immune status. Test results will support clinicians with information to optimize immunosuppressive therapy, enhance patient care and improve graft survival. Test services are offered through TGI’s CLIA lab in Pleasanton, CA. www.transplantgenomics.com

About The Scripps Research Institute
The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists—including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering or Medicine—work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. In October 2016, TSRI announced a strategic affiliation with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), representing a renewed commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to address unmet medical needs. For more information, see www.scripps.edu.

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/153488f6-9b98-495c-8326-5754618977f4

Darren Lee
Transplant Genomics Inc.
(781)454-6523
[email protected]