SAN DIEGO, — Trovagene, Inc. (NASDAQ: TROV), a developer of cell-free molecular diagnostics, announced the issuance of US patent 8,486,626, “Methods of detecting cell-free miRNA in urine and blood.” The patent pertains to the detection and quantitation of microRNA (miRNA) using a wide variety of technologies and platforms. MicroRNAs are known to play critical roles in cell development as well as a number of diseases, including cancer.

“MicroRNA signatures are highly sensitive biomarkers with the potential to be used in a wide range of molecular diagnostic tests,” states Mark Erlander, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Trovagene. “They have been shown to have varying expression levels across numerous pathological conditions including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular diseases.”

Despite their relatively recent discovery and characterization, several miRNA-based therapeutics have entered clinical trials, confirming their importance as critical regulators of human disease. “MicroRNAs hold the promise of yielding a new class of therapeutics in addition to current diagnostic uses,” adds Erlander.

The new miRNA patent extends Trovagene’s established intellectual property portfolio in the field of cell-free molecular diagnostics, which covers DNA and RNA fragments found in urine. Trovagene already has proprietary methods around the isolation, detection and analysis of these cell-free nucleic acids from urine, a non-invasive and easy to obtain sample type.

“Cell-free nucleic acids, including microRNAs, are an integral part of our company’s focus on cancer diagnostics. Our newly established patent position in microRNA detection in blood and urine will complement our proprietary capabilities to detect and quantify DNA mutations and genetic variations,” said Antonius Schuh, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Trovagene. “We believe this technology promises to have a profound impact on the field of cancer diagnostics.”