Key European Patent Covers Stroke Diagnostic

A key patent has been issued by the European Patent Office for a "Method for Diagnosing and Distinguishing Stroke.”

The patent relates to a diagnostic kit and method of measuring the presence of both an ischemic marker and a brain endothelial cell membrane protein to indicate that a patient has suffered a stroke, and if so, whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The kit is being developed by SynX (Toronto, Canada). Earlier in 2004, a U.S. patent was also granted to SynX, a subsidiary of Nanogen (San Diego, CA, USA).

The patent covers both a method and a diagnostic kit for analyzing the levels of proteins released from the brain during a stroke. By measuring the presence of an ischemic marker protein such as myelin basic protein, S100 protein, neuronal-specific enolase, or similar molecules, and a brain endothelial membrane protein such as thrombomodulin, a doctor can determine the occurrence of a stroke. The time that has elapsed since stroke onset can also be estimated, which is critical for determining if clot-buster drugs such as tissue
plasminogen activators (tPAs) would be effective. Analyses of these proteins can also provide information as to the type of stroke and the extent of brain damage. Currently, a rapid and accurate diagnostic for stroke does not exist, notes SynX.

"This latest addition to SynX's growing patent portfolio related to its stroke diagnostic provides broader claims to valuable methods and technologies,” noted Howard C. Birndorf, chairman and CEO of Nanogen. SynX offers a line of point-of-care diagnostics and is building expertise in cardiac-related health conditions.




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