Method of isolating ependymal neural stem cells

Patent Number: 7,279,332

It is believed that neural stem cells are found in large quantities in the ependyma (the thin epithelial membrane lining the ventricular system of the brain and the spinal cord canal). The ependyma is one of 4 types of neuroglia and its primary function is the production of cerebrospinal fluid.

The current patent covers the assessment of test compounds for modulation of proliferation/expansion ability of ependymal neural stem cells. Compounds that are stimulatory may be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, whereas compounds inhibitory to ependymal stem cell proliferation may have anticancer activity.

It will be interesting to see how such a patent as this will be enforced. At face value it seems like it blocks others from doing research on this population of stem cells. In any case, this is a good example of strategic IP positioning.

View this patent on the USPTO website.