Euroscreen Awarded U.S. Patent on Human Nociceptin (ORL1) Receptor

Euroscreen SA has announced that it has been issued an U.S. patent that covers the use of an important human neurology drug target.

The receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) known as the human nociceptin (ORL1) receptor, is implicated in the control of some key neurological processes, such as pain perception, analgesia, and anxiety.

Euroscreen’s patent protects any screening process using this receptor in order to find compounds that modulate its activity, and thus may have pharmaceutical potential.

The natural molecule in the body that binds to the human nociceptin receptor (also know as Opioid Receptor-Like-1 receptor, or ORL1) is a small protein called Nociceptin (or Orphanin FQ). 

Nociceptin has been implicated in many central nervous system processes, in addition to those mentioned above, including control of the cardiovascular system, food intake, airway function, learning, memory and locomotion.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Jean Combalbert, President and CEO of Euroscreen, said: "This new U.S. patent represents a significant addition to our growing portfolio of validated disease-related receptors. It will enable Euroscreen to partner with companies wishing to use the human nociceptin receptor in their search for innovative drugs, through license agreements."

The U.S. patent (7,083,932) relates in particular to screening methods to single out compounds that modulate, either up or down, the biological activity of the human nociceptin receptor. 

Any screening methods using either membrane preparation or cell line expressing nociceptin receptor are covered by valid claims. 

Euroscreen has already obtained a similar European patent and is awaiting the issuance of equivalent patent applications in Japan and Canada, whose pending claims relate to similar subject matter.