RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.-Metabolon Inc.,a leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, has been awarded a series of broad patents covering the use of metabolomics for disease biomarker discovery.

The company has raised $6.3 million toward a new round of financing targeted at $11 million.

These newly issued patents contain claims covering the use of metabolomics methods to identify small molecule biomarkers that are indicative of disease states.

The issuances expand Metabolon’s current patent portfolio which is focused on the use of metabolomics in disease diagnosis, treatment and drug discovery as well as biomarkers associated with specific diseases and the platform technology related to biochemical profiling.

“We believe Metabolon has developed the industry’s leading patent portfolio with 60 issued patents and patents in prosecution in the field of metabolomics,” said Metabolon’s CEO, John Ryals.

“Our IP estate gives our commercial services business an important competitive advantage with exclusivity in the use of metabolomics for the identification of disease biomarkers and may be of great value to us in potential diagnostic applications.”

Metabolon’s previously issued patents include the use of metabolomics for determining biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, depression and schizophrenia as well as patents relating to software designed for analyzing metabolomics data. Metabolon is also the exclusive license holder of the Daouk-Kristal patent family which is comprised of early, pioneering patents and patent applications which provide fundamental IP in the field of metabolomics.

The patents most recently awarded to Metabolon are US Patent 7’550’258, US Patent 7’550’260 and US Patent 7’553’616.

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