Matritech is a leading US based developer of protein-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer. US Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company US Patent No. 6,936,424 covering methods of using the NMP 66 (TM) protein for the detection of breast cancer. Products covered by claims in this patent will be protected until the year 2020. This most recent patent issuance brings the number of US Patents owned or exclusively licensed to Matritech to 21. Matritech's patent portfolio also includes numerous patents issued in Europe, Japan and Canada.

The NMP66 breast cancer program is based on Matritech's proprietary nuclear matrix protein (NMP) technology. NMPs comprise the protein framework that organises DNA inside the cell. They change in amount in cancerous cells, making them excellent markers for a variety of cancers. NMPs found in body fluids, are highly accurate and can be detected in a minimally invasive manner. Using both immunoassay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods, the company's scientists are continuing to refine the methods for detecting the NMP66 complex in the blood of women with breast cancer. The RT-PCR assay is designed to measure a unique RNA sequence associated with the NMP66 complex.

In addition to strengthening the existing patent portfolio, this patent further strengthens the company's program to develop blood based tests to detect breast cancer.

The US based Biophan Technologies Inc's mission is to develop technologies to improve medical devices and bring these technologies to market through strategic partnerships. Two US patents have been issued to the company and one US patent has been issued to NanoSet, LLC, a technology collaborator which has granted Biophan exclusive worldwide medical rights. These newly issued patents have increased the company's intellectual property portfolio to 144 US patents, licenses or applications.

The US Patent 6,952,322 teaches how to convert electrical information, including radio waves into optical signals to move them along an optical fiber, when used in conjunction with MRI. The technology has also potential applications for oncology, diabetes and other diseases. US Patent 6,925,328 covers cardiac assist devices made compatible with MRI, when MRI signals are detected, so that the communications circuit between the device and the heart can be interrupted, to avoid the potential dangers of tissue heating and induced voltages. This technology is one of several options offered by Biophan to solve the MRI safety problem that is widely recognised by the industry. US Patent 6,930,242 covers virtually any medical conductor, including a pace maker, defibrillator or neurostimulator lead, that includes nanomagnetic coatings and is designed to be flexible. This patent extends company's broad coverage of nanomagenetic devices. These patents can provide improved capabilities to a wide variety of devices.

Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc, based in USA, is developer of ProteinChip(R) systems and services for clinical, research and process proteomics applications. It has announced issuance of US Patent 6,881,586 devoted to methods of rapidly purifying proteins.

Protein purification is a major bottleneck in protein identification. Ciphergen's Biomarker Discovery Center(R) scientists as well as leading researchers have successfully used ProteinChip(R) chromatographic arrays integrated with SELDI-TOF-MS detection to rapidly identify "on-chip" conditions for purifying a protein for applications, including in protein identification.
Using a range of ProteinChip array chromatographic surfaces and wash conditions, scientists can quickly identify those combinations that optimize target protein purification conditions.

The US based Misonix Inc, a developer of ultrasonic medical device technology for the treatment of cancer and other healthcare purposes, announced in August 2005 that its majority owned subsidiary Sonora Medical Systems Inc. has been granted United States Patent (No. 6,920,776), which is the first of the three patents filed for its First Cell 2000 Ultrasound probe-testing device related to its ability to test, ultrasound probes, one element at a time without the necessity of using the ultrasound system. The performance of the elements in a probe dictates the diagnostic quality of the ultrasound examination.
This patent for First Cell device is especially important to Sonora as it is the first patent awarded to this company and it provides intellectual property protection for this unique and highly useful device. Also, it provides the company with a competitive advantage to better serve the industry.