SARASOTA, Fla., Oct. 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTCBB:DNAG), a developer of genomics-based products and services, today announced that it has been granted a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application for Efficient Methods and Apparatus for High-Throughput Processing of Gene Sequence Data.
"Though we are all 99.9% identical at the level of our DNA, it is the 0.1% difference called polymorphism that accounts for our individuality," stated Tony N. Frudakis, Ph.D., DNAPrint's founder and Chief Scientific Officer. "The technology our patent application covers relates to methods useful for measuring polymorphisms in and around genes that are part of large gene families, a task that traditionally has been problematic for the molecular genetics community."
Geneticists use "molecular addresses" to query and study specific genes much like a postman uses a street address to find the recipient of a letter. The methods covered in the patent are useful when there are several genes with the same or substantially similar "sequence" addresses. Many of the genes that are involved in drug metabolism and response are members of large gene families.
This is the first patent for which the Company applied. The methods covered in the application, first drafted in 2001, were originally developed to power DNAPrint's unique approach to pharmacogenomics research, which is aimed at understanding why people respond uniquely to drugs.
About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology and consumer genetic tests. The Company's first theranostic product (drug/test combination) is PT-401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end stage renal disease). Currently in pre-clinical development, PT-401 will be targeted to patients with a genetic profile indicating their propensity to have the best clinical response. DNAPrint's family of products for the law enforcement forensics and consumer markets include DNAWITNESS, RETINOME, ANCESTRYbyDNA and EURO-DNA.
Forward Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based.