Vermillion, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, announced that the European Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant patent number 1,493,741 entitled "Use of Biomarkers for Detecting Ovarian Cancer" to the company. The patent claims are directed to biomarker combinations for the diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer and to the measurement of the biomarkers by a variety of methods, including mass spectrometry and immunoassay.
"The granting of this patent in Europe will help support our efforts to expand our commercialization into the EU. We are actively engaged in the processes required to offer OVA1 in the EU," said Gail S. Page, Vermillion CEO and executive chairperson.
OVA1 is a qualitative serum test that combines the results of five immunoassays into a single numerical score. It is indicated for women who meet the following criteria: over age 18, ovarian adnexal mass present for which surgery is planned, and not yet referred to an oncologist. The test utilizes five well-established biomarkers - Transthyretin (TT or prealbumin), Apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1), beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2M), Transferrin (Tfr) and Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125 II) - and a proprietary FDA-cleared software device to determine the likelihood of malignancy in women with pelvic mass for whom surgery is planned. OVA1is a trademark of Vermillion Inc.
Vermillion, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve outcomes for patients.