Autogen's 'beacon' gene wins patent protection

A gene implicated in conditions including obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance has gained Australian patent protection four years after its initial discovery.

Gene discovery group Autogen (ASX:AGT) announced the Patent and Trademark Office had approved a patent covering the company's 'beacon' gene and its use as a therapeutic or diagnostic.

CEO and managing director Prof Greg Collier said the patent further extended Autogen's competitive advantage and position as a leading genomics-based drug discovery and development company.

"We believe that this patent strengthens our position in diabetes and obesity research," Collier said.

The discovery of the beacon gene, Autogen's first, was made in 1998 by researchers at Deakin University who were studying the Israeli sand rat as an animal model for human obesity.

The researchers found that beacon acted through a previously unknown pathway to produce a protein that could regulate food intake and body weight.

"The grant of the patent ensures that Autogen will be able to maximise returns from any potentially useful drug or treatment that is derived from the patented gene," Collier said.

Autogen's diabetes and obesity program is supported through a commercial alliance with French pharmaceutical company Merck-Sante, a subsidiary of Merck KgaA, Germany, which has so far committed $A34 million in funding to the project over the next four years. Merck will also be Autogen's major partner in the development of drugs arising from the program's discoveries.

The company has to date filed applications on more than 40 diabetes and obesity related genes. At the time of writing, Autogen's shares were unchanged at 58 cents.