ASX Health Stocks: US patent another Prescient win for booming Aussie biotechs

Prescient gets US patent approval
Genetic Technologies expands EasyDNA into India and Europe
Imricor submits cardiac ablation catheter for EU market

Clinical stage oncology company Prescient Therapeutics (ASX: PTX) has been granted a US patent for its OmniCAR portfolio titled: “SpyCatcher and SpyTag: Universal Immune Receptor For T Cells”.

OmniCAR is a universal immune receptor (UIR) platform that creates modular cell therapies which according to Prescient are controllable, flexible and adaptable.

The key component of the system enabling modularity is a two-part covalent binding system called SpyTag and SpyCatcher, developed by and licensed from Oxford University.

Prescient believes that OmniCAR is the only known UIR system employing covalent binding – a very strong chemical bond.

The UIR system, it says, offers several important advantages over other approaches that rely on weaker, temporary binding, including greater efficacy, control and the ability to pre-arm T cells.

“This patent is a key plank in the protection of the OmniCAR platform, especially in the US, which is the world’s largest healthcare market,” said Prescient CEO, Steven Yatomi-Clarke.

“Prescient continues to bolster the protection of this innovative platform through the development of new intellectual property as we progress our three exciting OmniCAR programs through pre-clinical development and towards the clinic,” he added.

The US patent will provide protection out to at least 2039.

Prescient share price today:

Genetic Tech expands into India and Europe

Genomics specialist, Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG), announced that its recently acquired company, EasyDNA, has embarked on an expansion phase to Indian and European markets.

EasyDNA is a leading DNA testing service provider that specialises in offering testing services to both the private and public sector all over the world.

EasyDNA India has now partnered with a number of stud farms providing independent and comprehensive chain of custody for equine paternity testing.

The company has received initial samples and commenced testing, with results to be featured in the Indian Stud Book.

GTG believes that horse racing and associated stud farming is a significant business in the world’s second largest population, enabling EasyDNA to leverage the company’s existing paternity infrastructure.

Meanwhile, EasyDNA has also expanded the availability on its websites of Carrier Testing and Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPT) into Europe, the second biggest healthcare market in the world.

GTG believes demand in this region for more informed choices regarding fertility and pregnancy is providing a strong foundation for the company’s portfolio, which includes pre-conception and prenatal testing.

Genetic Technologies share price today:

Imricor asks for European approval

Imricor (ASX:IMR) has submitted its second generation cardiac ablation catheter product for approval in Europe.

The second-generation Vision-MR Ablation Catheter was submitted for the initial indication of treating Type 1 atrial flutter (AFL), relying on the previous clinical trial results of the first-generation catheter.

Imricor is expecting a 12-month review cycle for the new catheter, which will replace the first-generation Vision-MR Ablation Catheter upon approval.

The company says gaining this approval is critical step towards meeting its strategic goal, as it looks to commence a European clinical study aimed at demonstrating the safe and effective use of Imricor’s products for VT ablations.