# US 7,935,497 B2 · Protease detection

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,935,497 B2
- Document ID: US7935497B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/280,383
- Filed: 2007-02-23
- Published: 2009-02-26
- Granted: 2011-05-03
- Earliest claimed: 2006-02-23
- Assignees: Mologic Limited
- Inventors: Paul James Davis; Mark James Davis; Mark Burnapp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7935497B2

## CPC

- G01N 33/573: for enzymes or isoenzymes
- G01N 2333/59: Follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]; Chorionic gonadotropins, e.g. HCG; Luteinising hormone [LH]; Thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method of detecting a protease in a sample. The method comprises providing an analyte degradable by the protease. The analyte is contacted with the sample. The degradation products of the analyte or the residual undegraded analyte is detected in a binding assay.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting a protease in a sample comprising the steps of:
(i) providing an unlabelled protein analyte degradable by the protease;
(ii) contacting the analyte with the sample;
(iii) contacting the analyte with a specific labelling component such that the labelling component specifically binds to the analyte, wherein the labelling component is associated with a label;
(iv) capturing the analyte with a specific capture component such that, if intact, the analyte acts as a link between the labelling component and the capture component; and
(v) detecting the presence of the label associated with the capture component, wherein the absence of a detectable label or detection of a reduced label intensity at the location at which the capture component is immobilised is indicative of the presence of a protease in the sample.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein steps (iii) and (iv) are part of a lateral flow assay.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific labelling component comprises an antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific capture component comprises an antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyte is hCG.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific labelling component and the specific capture component are located on different portions of a liquid flow path.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific capture component is located on a solid substrate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein the specific capture component is immobilised on the solid substrate.