Sernova Corp announced that the Canadian Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for a key patent related to its genetically modified sertoli cell platform. International patents are still pending.

The Patent, entitled 'Production of a Biological Factor and Creation of an Immunologically Privileged Environment Using Genetically Altered Sertoli Cells', claims the use of Sertoli cells that have been genetically modified to produce biological factors important in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The Notice of Allowance was issued July 13, 2009 to Sertoli Technologies, Inc, the exclusive licensor to Sernova Corp.

"This patent adds to our extensive portfolio of over 20 issued and pending patents," said Dr Philip Toleikis, Sernova's president and CEO. "The broad claims in this patent position Sernova with the potential to extend its Sertoli cell platform beyond our current focus of insulin-dependent diabetes to the treatment of a wide range of disorders including Parkinson's disease, blood disorders (haemophilia, hyperbilirubinemia, haemoglobinopathies such as sickle-cell disease, anaemia in chronic kidney disease, and related to cancer chemotherapy); the prevention of infection in susceptible individuals such as oncology patients, AIDS patients and those with other white blood cell diseases, as well as the prevention or treatment of certain cancers in genetically predisposed populations."

Naturally occurring Sertoli cells possess a unique ability to maintain an immune-privileged environment. In combination with Sernova's novel Cell Pouch System, Sertoli cells may potentially be used in a variety of settings to eliminate the need for expensive and toxic immunosuppressive drugs. Sernova's genetically modified Sertoli cell platform combined with Sernova's novel Cell Pouch System further enables the potential replacement of key natural substances in the body, or to produce therapeutic agents to prevent or treat disease.

Sernova anticipates that the expansion of its current programmes will occur through a combination of internal research efforts, as well as external corporate and academic collaborations.

Sernova Corp is a Canadian-based, health-sciences company focused on commercializing medical technologies.