Thursday, June 26, 2008

Clinical Data unit gets EU patent for cancer-related biomarker

By Mass High Tech Staff

Clinical Data Inc., a Newton developer of targeted therapeutics and genetic tests, reports that the European Patent Office has granted the firm’s German subsidiary a patent for a genetic biomarker linked to a gene responsible for blocking the absorption of anti-cancer drugs in tumor cells.

The biomarker covered in the patent is used in a genetic test that identifies a common variant of the gene, which is called MDRI. The patent was awarded to Epidauros Biotechnologie AG, the Bernried, Germany, subsidiary of Clinical Data (Nasdaq: CLDA). Clinical Data acquired Epidauros in August 2007 for $11.8 million in cash.
 
Company officials said the MDRI biomarker is part of a genetic test for drug metabolism that is marketed by Santa Clara, Calif.-based Affymetrix Inc. The Cogenics division of Clinical Data helped Affymetrix develop part of the technology used in the test.

Clinical Data, which employs 459 workers, reported a 2008 net loss of $35.3 million on revenue of $34 million during its fiscal year ending March 31.