Signature Diagnostics AG announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted a new patent providing extended protection for drug molecules licensed by the company from the Technical University of Darmstadt. The new patent (EP 1858913) covers peptide-mimetics and their use as inhibitors of the human proteasome complex. The molecules have immediate application in a variety of indications, including cancer and inflammatory disease. The company is currently seeking cooperation partners for further development of these proteasome-inhibitor drug candidates.

"This patent further strengthens our strong intellectual property portfolio in key therapeutic areas such as cancer and inflammation," commented André Rosenthal, chief executive officer of Signature Diagnostics. "We are committed to maximizing the patent protection for these drug candidates, as they are essential value-drivers for the company and its future partners."

Signature Diagnostics AG is a molecular diagnostics company based in Potsdam, Germany, focusing on the development and commercialization of novel molecular oncology diagnostic products for early detection (screening) and prognosis of cancer. The company has completed development of its first two diagnostic products for colorectal cancer screening (“Detector C/C+”) and prognosis (“Predictor C”), which will be launched in 2011 in its own ISO 15189 certified service laboratory.