Euroscreen Receives Key Patent for Purinergic Receptor

Euroscreen SA today 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. Euroscreen’s patent protects the sequence of P2Y11 receptor and research tools comprising this sequence.

Brussels, Belgium (PRWEB) May 16, 2006 -- Euroscreen SA today 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. Euroscreen’s patent protects the sequence of P2Y11 receptor and research tools comprising this sequence.

The P2Y11 receptor was cloned and characterized by Didier Communi as part of the team of Professor Jean-Marie Boeynaems at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHM) of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. This group 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, President and CEO of Euroscreen, said: "This new US patent represents a significant addition to our growing portfolio in the field of purinergic receptors. It will enable Euroscreen to generate revenues from companies wishing to use the human P2Y11 receptor in their search for innovative drugs, in the form of licence fees and milestones in the short term, and royalties on sales of any products generated in the longer term."

The US patent (7,045,345) relates in particular to DNA sequence of P2Y11 receptor, vectors comprising the DNA sequence and cells comprising the vector.

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.

For further information, please contact:
Euroscreen s.a. Tel: +32 71 348 500
Al Gray, Ph.D. VP Business Development
Vincent Lannoy, Ph.D. Business Development and Licensing Manager

About Euroscreen SA
Euroscreen is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery, development and partnering of small molecule drugs in inflammatory diseases. Euroscreen is developing a pipeline of compounds targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using over 11 years of experience in research and commercialization of this critical class of drug targets in association with the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHM) of the University of Brussels. Euroscreen’s AequoScreen™ cellular assay platform is used extensively in its screening of GPCRs for candidate drugs which are partnered during preclinical development. Euroscreen pursues internal targets in the inflammation area as well as several partnered preclinical-stage collaborations with Cephalon, ChemDiv and MNLpharma.

The Company has developed a broad patent portfolio of GPCRs for licensing to biopharmaceutical companies. Such patents address targets such as CCR5, Chemerin receptor, GPR43, GPR7/8, purinergic receptors (P2Y4, P2Y11 and P2Y13) and SHIP2 for type II diabetes.

Euroscreen pursues a dual platform strategy of combining its drug discovery business with its products and services business unit which serves biopharmaceutical companies around the world. The company has research, product distribution and licensing partnerships with Amersham/GE Healthcare, Cephalon, ChemDiv, Evotec, ICOS, Merck & Co, MNLpharma, Pfizer Inc, Solvay, Syngenta and UCB. Euroscreen is a privately held company based in Brussels, Belgium with 80 employees of which 50 are in R&D.

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