Euroscreen Receives Key US Patent Covering Screening Methods Using Human P2Y11 Purinergic Receptor

Euroscreen SA has announced that it was awarded a US patent that covers the use of a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) known as the human P2Y11 receptor. The new Euroscreen's US patent (7,264,940) protects screening methods to single out compounds that modulate, either up or down, the biological activity of the P2Y11 receptor.

The P2Y11 receptor was cloned and characterized in collaboration with the Université Libre de Bruxelles. The group of Professor Jean-Marie Boeynaems has shown that the activation of the P2Y11 receptor leads to the differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells into neutrophil-like cells, suggesting that P2Y11 agonists might be used for the treatment of some forms of leukemia. In addition, its role in neutrophil maturation makes it a potential target for the treatment of neutropenia.

Commenting on the announcement, Jean Combalbert, Chief executive Officer of Euroscreen, said: "This new US patent in the field of purinergic receptors represents an additional stone to our growing portfolio. It will enable Euroscreen to generate revenues from companies wishing to use the human P2Y11 receptor as target for innovative drugs, through licence fees and milestones in the short term, and royalties on sales of any products generated in the longer term."

This new patent is extending the P2Y11 patent family, Euroscreen having already obtained a similar European patent and awaiting the issuance of equivalent patent applications in Japan and Canada, whose pending claims relate to similar subject matter.