NetScientic PLC said its subsidiary ProAxis Ltd has won approval for a key US patent for technology that can be used to screen, identify and monitor people at risk of bone disease.
The company said the patent for its K-POSTN Assay, which it intends to launch shortly, is a significant step towards measuring bone health for patients at high risk of osteoporotic fractures.
ProAxsis is working with the expert Bone Health team led by Professor Serge Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) at the University of Geneva to create a novel and patented bone-specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the detection of serum K-POSTN, which can be used to predict fractures in post-menopausal women.
Dr David Ribeiro, CEO of ProAxsis, commented: “The K-POSTN assay has the potential to help healthcare professionals screen, identify and/or monitor people most at risk of osteoporotic fractures and other bone diseases, thus enabling early therapeutic intervention which will decrease the burden on the health service and increase quality of life for the patient.
“Furthermore, for researchers and pharmaceutical companies seeking to develop new treatments for osteoporosis, the K-POSTN assay will deliver specific and quantifiable outcome measurements due to the rapid response shown by biomarkers to both anabolic and anticatabolic drugs.”
John Clarkson, chairman of NetScientific and ProAxsis, added: “This is another significant step forward in the ProAxsis growth strategy roll-out; continuing the expansion of its product range, improving healthcare and progressing ‘the transatlantic bridge’ into the US market and internationally.”
NetScientific shares were 4.72% higher at 111p.
