Ryogen LLC, a genetic company headquartered in Suffern, New York, has been awarded two patents on human genes by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

US Patent Nos. 7,468,266 titled 'Isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2' and 7,470,522 , titled 'Isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments encoding human resistin and the human syntaxin binding protein 2' cover isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, human resistin and human syntaxin binding protein 2, vectors and hosts containing these fragments and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments and methods of using these fragments to obtain the coded proteins and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.

"I am very pleased that the US Patent Office awarded us these patents," said Dr James W Ryan, the named inventor and chief scientist of Ryogen.

"The claimed genes are directed to proteins, which are thought to play important roles in serious human diseases," Dr Ryan continued. "Human lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 is one of the enzymes that can initiate synthesis of proinflammatory mediators. The enzyme appears to play a central role in the development of atherosclerosis and is regarded as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Its level has been found to be altered in patients with systemic lupus erythematosis, stroke and asthma. Resistin is involved in regulation of insulin effects and is believed to provide a link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Human syntaxin binding protein is disposed largely in placenta, lung, liver, kidney, peripheral lymphocytes and pancreas. It plays a role in vesicular transport in non-neuronal tissues."

"The patents are an important addition to Ryogen's patent portfolio," said Valeria Poltorak, Ryogen's executive vice president. "We are planning to license the newly issued patents and make these genes widely available for research to promote the development of new methods of genetic diagnostics and treatment," she concluded.

Ryogen LLC, headquartered in Suffern, NY, is a genomic start-up and a portfolio company of an idea incubator, operated by IP Holdings LLC, also located in Suffern, NY. Ryogen is managed by General Patent Corporation, a premier patent licensing and enforcement boutique.