Hadron Advanced Biosystems files nine biodefense provisional patent applications.(Brief Article)

2002 JUL 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Hadron, Inc.'s (HDRN) Advanced Biosystems, Inc. subsidiary filed nine provisional patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These provisional patent applications cover novel treatments of anthrax and filovirus infections, a new approach for the identification of smallpox drug candidates, a medical device design with many potential uses including for cancer treatment and biodefense, and a new use of biodefense research for possible cancer treatment.

The United States Army Research Command supported three of the nine patent applications. Hadron Advanced Biosystems is exploring opportunities to license its technology to, or seek a joint venture with, a partner to complete the necessary clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and the development, manufacturing, and marketing of any future products that might arise from these patents.

In the area of developing potential novel methodologies for treating inhalational anthrax, Hadron Advanced Biosystems has filed three provisional patent applications. Two of these applications pertain to treatment of anthrax in its later stages, when mortality rates increase to 90%. The first covers the invention of a new way to block the action of protective antigen (PA), a component of anthrax toxin, thereby protecting target cells against its toxic effects. This invention could be used for the selection of drug candidates for anthrax treatment. The second late-stage anthrax-related application covers a new way to block the mechanism by which anthrax lethal factor (LF) causes its toxic effects. Included in this blocking system is the use of compounds that protect cells from LF. Experiments to date have shown the number of anthrax spores to be significantly decreased using such compounds. The third patent pending relates to improved treatment of early stage anthrax. Hadron Advanced Biosystems has tested and identified an antibiotic that was found to have greater activity against Bacillus anthracis than the current preferred antibiotic.

The fourth patent pending encompasses relevant factors in the genome of Bacillus anthracis, including five new hemolytic genes. The proteins these genes code for are called "anthralysins." Blocking the action of ...