Bionomics files patent on angiogenesis gene trove

Adelaide-based meditech Bionomics (ASX:BNO, US OTC:BMICY) has filed another international patent application on 496 potential gene targets for angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs.

Bionomics says it identified the candidate angiogenesis genes using microarray technology to analyse gene-expression patterns in tissues during blood-vessel formation, and bioinformatics tools.

Angiogenesis – the growth of new blood vessels – supplies oxygen and nutrients to fuel the rapid growth of virtually all solid tumours. Drugs or antibodies that inhibit angiogenesis are regarded as among the most promising generic therapies for cancer.

According to today’s press release from Bionomics, the company’s new patent application relates to genes that have not been identified by other research groups or companies as having a role in angiogenesis, as well as to future drugs that may be designed or discovered to inhibit these genes.

Bionomics CEO Dr Deborah Rathjen says the company is responding to the “substantial market opportunities represented by the new approaches to treating cancer with angiogenesis inhibitors”.

Rathjen said her company was well positioned to meet the needs of pharmaceutical companies and other biotechnology companies developing this new class of anti-cancer treatments.