Biocept Receives South Korean Patent for Primer-Switch Platform Used to Identify Rare Genetic Mutations, Including Cancer Biomarkers

Biocept Receives South Korean Patent for Primer-Switch Platform Used to Identify Rare Genetic Mutations, Including Cancer Biomarkers
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SAN DIEGO: Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOC), a leading provider of molecular diagnostic assays and services, has been awarded a South Korean Patent for its Primer-Switch technology, which detects rare mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using real-time PCR and associated analysis methods. The patent (No. 2252447) is titled Methods for Detecting Nucleic Acid Sequence Variants.

This is the fourth issued patent for the technology, which identifies rare cancer biomarkers found in tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Primer-Switch provides a unique method for specifically enriching patient specimens for mutations of interest. It can be used to enhance the performance and specificity of the PCR method, the most widely used amplification approach for research and clinical diagnostic applications. It also enables the interrogation of fragmented DNA that is often found in biological fluids.

“Primer-Switch methodology adds to the capabilities of our Switch-Blocker technology used in our Target Selector™ assays, providing key information about cancer biomarkers to aid physician decision-making, with the goal of improving outcomes for patients with cancer,” said Michael Nall, Biocept's President and CEO. “Our strong and growing intellectual property portfolio enables Biocept to develop and commercialize our highly differentiated technologies and testing services.”

Biocept’s core technologies and products are protected by more than 70 issued patents in the U.S., EU, Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as other countries. This includes worldwide patent protection on its highly sensitive methods for detecting cancer biomarkers that are used by physicians for treatment decisions.