Nanogen Strengthens Cardiac Biomarker Patent Position As US Patent Office Reissues Patent For Diagnosis Of Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 21 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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Nanogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:NGEN), developer of advanced diagnostic products, announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. RE39,816, which is a reissue of United States Patent No. 6,461,828, titled, "Conjunctive Analysis of Biological Marker Expression For Predicting Cardiac Mortality". This patent relates to the combined use of a cardiac marker of cell injury, such as Troponin I, with a marker of organ adaptation, such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), for prognosis of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. The new claims strengthen the Company's intellectual property rights around the combined use of these two types of important biomarkers.

"The combined use of Troponin I and BNP to evaluate the progress of congestive heart failure is just one example of how physicians currently combine biomarkers in cardiac care," said Howard Birndorf, CEO of Nanogen. "Reaffirmation of our IP position strengthens our cardiac related patent portfolio and positions us to market leadership point of care products that meet current clinical needs."

The Company currently has rapid diagnostic testing products in the market that test for cardiac markers separately. The company offers the Cardiac STATus® Troponin I rapid test product line acquired in 2006 and earlier this year announced the commercial release of its StatusFirst® CHF rapid test which uses the NT-proBNP marker. In addition, Nanogen holds key intellectual property rights around the use of multiple markers in a combined diagnostic test device with its 3-in-1 patent.

About Nanogen, Inc.

Nanogen's advanced technologies provide researchers, clinicians and physicians worldwide with improved methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat disease. The Company's products include real-time PCR reagents and kits based on the Company's proprietary probe technology branded as MGB Alert® and Q-PCR Alert, and a line of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests used in urgent care settings to aid in the diagnosis of heart failure conditions. Nanogen's ten years of pioneering research involving nanotechnology holds the promise of miniaturization and continues to be supported for its potential for diagnostic and biodefense applications. For additional information please visit Nanogen's website at http://www.nanogen.com.

Nanogen Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including whether restructuring of the array business would reduce operating cost and improve financial performance, whether acquisitions of other businesses would result in revenue growth in the real-time PCR and point-of-care testing market, and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the caption "Factors That May Affect Results" and elsewhere in Nanogen's Form 10-K or Form 10-Q most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Nanogen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

http://www.nanogen.com

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