For immediate release |
8 April 2014 |
ANGLE plc
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY UPDATE
ANGLE plc (AIM: AGL), the specialist medtech company, is pleased to announce a significant strengthening of the extent and duration of the intellectual property claims for its Parsortix system, which captures rare cells in blood for medical analysis.
Claims have been filed worldwide covering new applications for the Parsortix system including harvesting cells for analysis and use of the system to determine the size of captured cells. Additional aspects of design of the cassette are also covered and, if granted, the new patent applications will extend the period of intellectual property protection out to at least 2033.
The first family of Parsortix patents covers stepped, microscale cell separators for fluid flow and separation of cells; isolation of foetal cells is specifically disclosed. This patent family is protected by an issued US Patent, which expires in 2026 and has a second pending US Patent which expires in 2022, subject to extension.
The second family of Parsortix patents covers numerous improvements relating to device geometry, flow and assembly characteristics in the context of separation of specific cells; numerous cell types, including foetal cells and tumour cells are specifically disclosed. A US Patent is pending which, if granted, would provide protection to 2029, subject to extension. Applications have been filed and are pending in other key territories worldwide.
Over the past few months, ANGLE has established a third family of Parsortix patents and has made patent applications in relation to a new series of capabilities and applications. If these new submissions are granted, they will provide further patent coverage through to late 2033. The new patents cover key new operational aspects as follows:
· Cell harvesting method - this covers the method by which the Parsortix system can harvest cells (recover them from the system) for mutational and other medical analysis
· Cell measurement method - this covers the technique of using the structure and markings in the Parsortix cassettes to determine the sizes of captured cells as part of their identification and analysis
· Multifold design of Parsortix cassette - this covers the use of an elongated step front (undulating ribbon) method to provide a large increase in separating capacity on the cassettes.
These new patent applications significantly enhance the breadth of patent coverage, the potential medical applications that are covered and the length of time for which the Parsortix system has protection.
ANGLE's Founder and Chief Executive, Andrew Newland, commented:
"Our intellectual property strategy is key to our business and this strengthening of our IP is an important commercial milestone. Our recent patent submissions have the potential to protect the Company's economic value through to at least 2033 and allow expansion of the Parsortix system for use in several areas in addition to the core cancer areas currently under development and protected by granted patents."
For further information:
ANGLE plc |
01483 685830 |
Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director |
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Cenkos Securities Stephen Keys, Dr Christopher Golden (Nominated adviser) Andy Roberts, Christian Hobart (Sales) |
020 7397 8900 |
Buchanan Mark Court, Fiona Henson, Sophie Cowles |
020 7466 5000 |
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