IMCS Scientists Awarded Patent for Enzyme Engineering Technology

IRMO, S.C. (November 1, 2022) — Integrated Micro-Chromatography Systems, Inc. (IMCS), a leader in recombinant enzymes and micro-chromatography technologies, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 11,421,210 by the United States Patent Office. The patent, entitled “Chimeric and other variant beta-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced properties,” is a new addition to their existing patents based on proprietary enzyme engineering technology. The new patent expands the company’s intellectual property portfolio and strengthens its position in the market.

IMCS has been leading the way in the development of recombinant beta-glucuronidase enzymes (also β-glucuronidase) for use as analytical tools. Its industry-disrupting product, IMCSzyme®, was released in 2013 and paved the way for the widespread use of highly pure and efficient beta-glucuronidase enzymes in the urine drug testing market. Beta-glucuronidase is a crucial enzyme in metabolizing drugs and biologics in the body and is widely used in clinical, forensic, and academic settings for the detection of various drugs and substances in biological fluids.

“These patents exemplify the technical competencies at IMCS and continue to demonstrate its leading role in enzyme engineering,” said Caleb Schlachter, Ph.D., a co-inventor of the patent and Senior Research Scientist, Protein Engineering at IMCS. “We continue to expand our novel enzyme portfolio by improving the properties of several enzymes beyond beta-glucuronidases, such as sulfatases for the detection of steroidal and hormonal metabolites.”

“As a long-time user of IMCS’ recombinant beta-glucuronidase, I am excited in novel products that help move the industry forward,” said T. Scott Kephart, Ph.D., President at Quasar, who is not involved in this research. “Recombinant enzymes have enormous impact in the clinical, forensic, academic, and biopharmaceutical fields. As a country reeling from the effects of the opioid crisis, the use of novel enzymes for the accurate quantification of medications and drugs of abuse is crucial for effective patient care.”

IMCS patented enzyme technologies make it possible to design enhanced beta-glucuronidases that detect a wide range of drugs with high sensitivity and specificity. These enzymes enable clinical labs to meet the increased demand for more sensitive tests by improving the detection of low concentrations of drugs in a patient’s urine or blood sample.