Claimed in U.S. Patent 5,501,969 is a full length gene encoding a unique human bone degrading enzyme named cathepsin K, which is found only in human osteoclasts.
Osteoclasts are specialized cells known to play a key role in bone resorption and bone remodeling.
Selective inhibition of this osteoclast activity may reduce bone loss and lead to less fragile bones in various clinical disease states such as osteoporosis. Chemokine Beta-7 is a new member of the human chemokine family so named for its ability to cause circulating white blood cells to migrate. Several other human chemokines are currently being developed as therapeutic proteins by other companies. Claimed in U.S. Patent 5,506,133 is a full length gene encoding Human Superoxide Dismutase-4, a member of the family of genes that encode proteins that prevent damage to cells from activated forms of molecular oxygen. Additionally, the company has received two additional Notices of Allowance from the U.S. Patent Office on human genes for which patents are expected to issue within the next two months.