Prometheus Laboratories Inc, a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, has been awarded US Patent No. 7,592,437 by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent, entitled 'Genes Involved in Intestinal Inflammatory Diseases and Use Thereof', covers genes useful in the detection of inflammatory diseases, including NOD2 (also known as CARD15) gene mutations which are associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease.

"NOD2 gene mutations have been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract that can lead to a variety of symptoms and often takes years to diagnose," said Henry Pan, chief scientific and medical officer of Prometheus. "This patent provides important protection for us as we continue to develop innovative products to help physicians diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases through individualized patient care."

Prometheus has exclusive, worldwide rights to the methodology for identifying NOD2 gene mutations under an agreement with Fondation Jean Dausset - Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH).

Prometheus Labs is a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company committed to developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and diagnostic products to help physicians individualize patient care.