Biomoda, a developer of noninvasive tests for the early detection of cancer, has received a US patent that expands the use of its CyPath assay to include patient response to cancer therapy during the treatment phase of the disease.
The CyPath assay is based upon Biomoda’s patent estate centered on molecular marker technology originally developed at Los Alamos National Labs.
TCPP (5,10,15, 20-Tetrakis (Carboxyphenyl) Porphine), a synthetically manufactured porphyrin, is the active ingredient and the basis of CyPath.
The CyPath labeling solution binds to cancerous and pre-cancerous cells in tissue samples and causes them to fluoresce red under ultraviolet light.
According to Biomoda, in internal validation testing, the CyPath assay showed near 100% accuracy and 100% specificity with no false positives or false negatives.
Biomoda president John Cousins said doctors will be able to take fluid or tissue samples at intervals during chemotherapy, treat them with the CyPath solution and compare the results to the baseline assay to see if the percentage of cancerous and abnormal cells is moving in the right direction.
Biomoda CEO Maria Zannes said the patent continues their dual commitments to protect intellectual property and expanding their product lines to include tools for each step of the way, from early diagnosis to treatment, in the fight against cancer.
Biomoda has four US patents and foreign patent rights in Canada, Japan, Mexico and Australia.