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Exact Sciences wins patent for detecting mutations In DNA
by Dyke Hendrickson
Exact Sciences Corp. announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued it a patent associated with the company's proprietary genomics-based technology.
The patent, the Maynard-based company's twenty-second, is entitled "Method for Alteration Detection." It covers oligonucleotide tiling, a novel mutation scanning technique.
Oligonucleotide tiling (oligo tiling) was developed by Exact Sciences' researchers, who say it is a simple and efficient method of screening DNA for genetic alterations. The assay has been shown to be capable of mutation detection in DNA purified from clinical samples of colorectal cancer tissue, as well as in model systems in which it has been tested.
Exact Sciences Corp., founded in 1995, is an applied genomics company that has developed proprietary technologies that may be used for the early detection of several common cancers. Exact Sciences has selected colorectal cancer as the first application of its technologies. Colorectal cancer is the most deadly cancer among non-smokers, and is curable if detected early.
From Mass High Tech, The Journal of New England Technology, August 7. 2002
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