Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC), a liquid biopsy provider, has been awarded three new patents, the company announced Thursday, adding to its extensive intellectual property portfolio.
The patents — one US, one Canadian and one European — cover Biocept’s antibody and microchannel technology and the detection of cancer cells, which collectively is used to capture cells of interest in a biopsy.
In particular, the technology aims to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with cancer.
READ: Biocept shares rise after reporting revenue boost in 2Q
Specifically, the US patent covers the microchannel technology used to aid the capture of cells of interest, the Canadian patent covers the binding partners and methods used in the capture itself and the European patent covers a method of detecting cells using fluorescent complexes.
"Collectively, the granting of these additional patents further broadens Biocept's US and international footprint for capturing and analyzing any biological target of interest," the group's Chief Scientific Officer Lyle Arnold said in a statement.
All told, Biocept is armed with an intellectual property portfolio of 36 patents around the world.
The company's share price fell 4.6% Tuesday to $1.04.
—Updated to include stock quote—
Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel