HAYWARD, Calif., May 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crowning almost eight years of research and development Protelica, Inc., an innovator in the field of protein engineering, just received a notice allowance for "UNIVERSAL FIBRONECTIN TYPE III BINDING-DOMAIN LIBRARIES" (U.S. Patent Application No. 12/820,018), a patent for composition of matter on a novel series of VEGFR-2 antagonists.
"This patent represents a major breakthrough for Protelica, and provides further validation of the company's innovative approach to protein design and engineering," said Roberto Crea, PhD, President & CEO of Protelica.
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator in the signaling pathway of angiogenesis, regulating the growth of blood vessels from a pre-existing vasculature. In addition to the growth of new blood vessels, VEGF has also been shown to mediate cell migration and invasion, vascular permeability and vasodilation. Aberrant VEGF activity has been implicated in several diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, and the wet form of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of elderly blindness in the industrialized world.
Upon issuance, this patent will not only provide Protelica with further broad exclusivity in biotherapeutics, but will also impact clinical diagnostics. The lead VEGFR-2 antagonist developed by Protelica is about 1/15th the size of an antibody and has a Kd of just 5nM, making it an ideal biotherapeutic. Furthermore, production costs are dramatically lower than monoclonal antibodies, which should translate into a marked downstream reduction of healthcare costs. Protelica is now seeking partners to fully capture the therapeutic potential of this antagonist.
About Protelica
Protelica, Inc. is a biotech company founded in 2006 by Dr. Roberto Crea as result of a spinoff of BioRen, Inc., a company which was acquired by Pfizer in 2005. Protelica has developed a number of proprietary DNA Mutagenesis methods for protein engineering and optimization. Initiator of a number of seminal R&D relationships with companies in the biotech field, Protelica has received Phase I and II SBIR funding from the National Science Foundation for the development of its human Fibronectin type III scaffold-based Antibody Mimic platform. The San Francisco Bay Area based Company operates out Hayward, California, where its laboratories are located.
Protelica Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release may be forward-looking. These statements relate to future events or the future economic performance of Protelica, and reflect the current assumptions and expectations of management. Certain unknown factors may affect the events, economic performance and results of operations described herein. Protelica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.