Stem Cell Sciences granted US patents

BioTech Capital (ASX:BTC) investee Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) has been granted additional claims to the 'stem cell selection' patented technology by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

'Stem cell selection' refers to the methods and tools used to obtain pure populations of stem cells and the new claims patent methods of enriching for any type of mammalian stem cell, from any cell source, based on introduced genes such as fluorescent markers or cell surface proteins.

The US extension brings the claims in line with those already granted in other territories such as the European Union.

The broadening of the patent claims is expected to generate considerable new business for SCS through the licensing of its technology to the US biopharmaceutical industry.

"Developing new research partnerships and licensing agreements in the USA for the 'stem cell selection' technology is an important component of the company's plans to establish US based operations in 2006," said SCS president and CEO Peter Mountford in a statement.

SCS recently raised £6 million (AUD$14 million), a little less than the £10 million hoped for, as part of its initial public offering and listing on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on July 18.

Part of the money raised will be used to establish a US office, probably in California, with the creation of Stem Cell Sciences USA.

SCS already has science and business teams in Melbourne, Edinburgh and Kobe in Japan.