Vermillion, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice of allowance for a patent entitled "B2-microglobulin as a biomarker for peripheral artery disease" to the company. The patent claims are directed to biomarker combinations that include B2-microglobulin for the diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease and to the measurement of the biomarkers by a variety of methods, including mass spectrometry and immunoassay.

The studies underlying the patent were conducted with Dr. John P. Cooke, MD. PhD, a Professor and Associate Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Cooke is a founder and Past President of the Society for Vascular Medicine, and an author of over 350 scientific articles in vascular medicine and biology.

"The notice of allowance for this PAD biomarker patent is additional validation of our approach to intellectual property protection. This will play an important role as we continue efforts to develop and commercialize our Vasclir test for PAD," said Gail S. Page, CEO and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vermillion.

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.