Research Triangle Park-based Metabolon has been awarded another patent in its growing array of more than 75 discoveries related to its specialized field of diagnostics, drug discovery and therapeutics called metabolomics.
Metabolomics is the emerging science of measurement and analysis of metabolites, such as sugars and fats produced in the cells of organisms, at specific times and under specific conditions. Using tools such as spectroscopy, chromatography and specialized computer technologies, metabolomics scientists are pursing improvements in the diagnosis and treatments of human diseases and the understanding of related biochemical activities.
"In the rapidly growing field of metabolomics, we have been able to create a strong competitive position," said Metabolon's director of research and intellectual property, Kay Lawton, Ph.D., "by obtaining many of the pioneering patents that will continue to drive Metabolon and the industry forward in small-molecule biomarker identification and diagnostics."
Metabolon's newly issued patent expands on those previously issued to deal with nervous systems diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, depression and schizophrenia.