A Medical Device Daily

Power3 Medical Products (Houston), specializing in the development and of tests for the early detection of breast cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, reported filing a U.S. Utility Patent application for 47 protein biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease in human blood serum.

Power3 said it has determined the blood serum concentrations of these biomarkers in samples from more than 750 neurodegenerative disease patients and normal control subjects, the results showing that these biomarkers are useful in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from normal, but symptomatic, control individuals.

“When Power3 identifies a new biomarker, we fully characterize it so that we know the precise molecules which make up the blood serum protein,” said Dr. Ira Goldknopf, Power3’s director of proteomics and senior inventor. “One of the most critical issues in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is the ability to distinguish AD from other forms of dementia and other neurological and vascular disorders. Power3’s group of protein biomarkers in blood serum can be employed for such a differential diagnosis, which will accelerate both the diagnosis and the delivery of treatment.”

Power3 said that its patent-pending technologies are being used to develop screening and diagnostic tests for the early detection and prognosis of disease, identify protein biomarkers, and drug targets for breast cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The company said it has signed its first distribution agreement to provide its blood serum diagnostic for breast cancer, BC-SeraPro, in 12 Middle Eastern countries before the end of 2007.

Power3 operates a CLIA-certified proteomics laboratory in The Woodlands (Houston, Texas). It said is preparing to commercialize its IP portfolio, centering on the 543 biomarkers the company has discovered.