We hereby announce that TRANS GENIC INC. (headquartered in Kumamoto, Japan, CEO: Michita Sato, hereinafter referred to as "we") and Kumamoto University (in Kumamoto, Japan, President: Tatsuro Sakimoto) filed a patent application for an antibody against bile duct cancer marker and its diagnostic application.

　We have been proceeding with researches to develop new diagnostic methods to detect various diseases using antibodies. As a part of these efforts, we have conducted joint research with Kumamoto University to work toward practical use of early diagnosis of biliary tract cancer (gallbladder and bile duct cancer) since September 2006, when our research subject was selected for a funded program of “Collaborative Development of Innovation Seeds, Potentiality Verification Stage” by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

　We and a research group headed by Dr. Nobuo Sakaguchi, professor of Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, used our unique GANP®mouse technology to cyclopaedically produce antibodies against candidate markers in biliary tract cancer tissue and successfully discovered a promising tumor marker useful for early diagnosis and treatment of bile duct cancer (hereinafter referred to as “the marker”) and also produced antibodies against it.
　 The marker is a glycoprotein found in plasma and serum of a bile duct cancer patient and the antibodies have both higher specificity and affinity against glycol-epitopes of the glycoprotein.

　Having achieved desired outcomes, we decided to apply for joint patent with Kumamoto University in order to protect intellectual properties of the marker and the antibody with a view to practical application.

　We and Kumamoto University will continuously promote joint research and development.

　The patent application will not have a material impact on our business and financial performance for the fiscal term ending March 2009.

　Reference:

　Bile Duct Cancer
　Bile duct cancer is malignant cancer whose cells tend to proliferate rapidly, spread easily to pancreas and nearby organs and metastasize to lymph nodes and liver.　 It is often too late to cure it when subjective symptoms such as jaundice are revealed. Therefore, it is said to be very important to detect it early enough to be treated in order to overcome the disease.
　Ultrasonography, MRI and CT scan have been used to detect bile duct cancer for these days. In addition, measuring blood tumor marker level (e.g. CA19-9, CEA, CA50) is commonly used as a simpler method for detecting bile duct cancer but these markers are used not only for bile duct cancer but for cancers in other organs. Therefore, an assay system to detect bile duct cancer-specific markers has been in high demand.

　A Press Release on the Research Issued on October 2, 2006
　http://www.transgenic.co.jp/en/pressrelease/pressrelease-061002.html