Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of hematological disorders using 2777

Patent Number: 6953778

This patent is a demonstration of creative patent writing, with positive results of claim issuance. Essentially, the inventors found a novel gene called 2777 which is significantly expressed in erythroid cells both in vitro and in vivo. 2777 is also expressed in erythroid progenitor (BFU-E) cells and Glycophorin A positive-lo (GPA-lo) cells in vivo. Since 2777 appears at a structural level to encode a peptidase, and peptidases are known to modulate hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis, the inventors claimed the target of 2777 as important, and therefore covered screening of therapeutic compounds using this target. The 2 independent claims of this patent cover a method of identifying a candidate capable of treating a hematological disorder, and also a method of identifying a candidate capable of modulating erythropoiesis. The specific method essentially involves screening of compounds that bind to 2777 protein product or modulate expression of the 2777 gene. Once such compounds are identified they are further assessed by ability to modulate hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis.

View this patent on the USPTO website.