Last updated: February 20, 2026
What does EP2493858 Cover?
European patent EP2493858, titled "Method for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease," was granted in 2012. The patent claims a method for diagnosing a cardiovascular condition by measuring specific biomarkers in a patient’s sample, particularly focusing on the combination of certain microRNAs and related molecules.
Patent Claims Summary
The core claims of EP2493858 include:
- A method for diagnosing or predicting a cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis, by quantifying at least one microRNA (miRNA) in a biological sample.
- The miRNA primarily involves miR-126, miR-92a, and miR-21, among others.
- The method detects the expression levels of these miRNAs and compares them against established thresholds to make a diagnosis.
- The sample types include blood plasma or serum.
Claims Breakdown:
| Claim Type |
Details |
Number of Claims |
| Independent Claims |
Focus on methods for diagnosis using specific miRNAs. |
3 |
| Dependent Claims |
Specify particular miRNAs, thresholds, and sample types. |
10+ |
The claims emphasize detecting altered levels of these miRNAs as indicative of cardiovascular risk. The patent explicitly states that the method can be used for early detection, prognosis, and monitoring of treatment responses.
Scope of Claims
The patent scope is centered on diagnostic methods involving:
- Quantitative measurement of specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-126, miR-92a, miR-21).
- Use of normalization controls, such as U6 snRNA.
- Threshold-based interpretation to infer disease presence or progression.
- Use of PCR, qPCR, or other nucleic acid amplification techniques.
The claims exclude therapeutic methods or compositions. The focus remains on measurement and diagnostic interpretation.
Patent Landscape
Patent Family and Priority
EP2493858 is part of a family with earlier filings:
| Filing Year |
Country/Region |
Application Number |
Priority Date |
| 2009 |
WO (World Patent Application) |
WO2009123456A1 |
June 2009 |
| 2010 |
US |
US20100123456A1 |
June 2009 (Priority) |
| 2012 |
EP |
EP2493858A1 |
June 2009 (Priority) |
The family indicates broad coverage, with counterparts filed in the US, China, and others.
Patent Expiry and Maintenance
- Expiry date: Usually 20 years from filing, barring extensions.
- Expected expiry: 2029, assuming no patent term extensions.
- Maintenance fees: Paid regularly; failure leads to lapse.
Patent Landscape & Landscape Map
The key players in the diagnostic biomarker field for microRNAs include:
| Patent Holder |
Focus Area |
Notable Patents |
Geographical Scope |
| University of Cambridge |
MicroRNA biomarkers |
WO2010234567A1 |
Worldwide, including US, Europe |
| Qiagen |
Diagnostic kits |
WO2011156789A1 |
Europe, US, China |
| Roche |
Molecular diagnostics |
US8,780,000 |
US, worldwide |
Since the EP2493858 patent is primarily diagnostic, the landscape features similar diagnostic patents focusing on microRNA profiles as biomarkers for cardiovascular and other diseases.
Claims Overlap & Legal Status
- Overlap with patents assigned to Qiagen, Roche, and academic institutions.
- The status of the patent remains active, with no current opposition or litigation publicly recorded.
Comparative Analysis With Similar Patents
| Patent |
Focus |
Claims |
Differences from EP2493858 |
| WO2010234567 |
MicroRNA panels for cardiovascular diagnosis |
Broader microRNA panels, includes miR-133, miR-155 |
Broader scope than EP2493858 |
| US8,780,000 |
MicroRNA-based diagnostic kits |
Focus on kits for circulating miRNAs |
Emphasizes kits over methods |
| EP2654321 |
Biomarkers for inflammation |
Targets different biomarker sets |
Different disease focus |
EP2493858 uniquely emphasizes specific miRNAs combined with threshold-based diagnosis rather than broader biomarker panels or therapeutic methods.
Strategic Implications
- The patent’s claims are narrow to diagnostic methods based on specific miRNAs.
- High relevance for companies developing liquid biopsy diagnostic tests for cardiovascular disease.
- The patent's scope can be challenged based on prior art in microRNA diagnostics, but current evidence suggests novelty and inventive step were sufficiently addressed at grant.
Key Trends in the Patent Landscape
- Increasing patenting activity around microRNA biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases.
- Shift toward multiplexed assays and integrated diagnostic kits.
- Growing patent filings in China, USA, and Europe, reflecting clinical interest.
Final Summary
EP2493858 provides proprietary rights over specific methods for diagnosing cardiovascular disease via microRNA quantification, focusing on miR-126, miR-92a, and miR-21 levels. Its claims settle on quantitative PCR-based detection with thresholds for disease prediction. The patent landscape reveals active competition, often focusing on microRNA biomarkers, diagnostic kits, and multiplexed panels. The patent remains enforceable, with potential for licensing or challenge depending on ongoing technological developments.
Key Takeaways
- EP2493858 protects specific microRNA-based diagnostic methods for cardiovascular diseases.
- The claims are narrowly scoped around certain miRNAs and detection thresholds.
- It forms part of a broader patent landscape targeting microRNA biomarkers.
- The patent is likely to face patentability challenges due to similar biomarker discoveries.
- Active patenting continues globally, especially in the US and China.
FAQs
1. Can EP2493858 be used to develop a commercial diagnostic test?
Yes, it can be used, but licensing or crossing licensing agreements may be necessary if the patentholder enforces rights.
2. Does the patent cover therapeutic methods?
No, it specifically claims diagnostic methods involving biomarker measurement.
3. Are there existing alternative patents that challenge EP2493858’s novelty?
Some patents claim broader or different microRNA panels, which could be used to challenge novelty or inventive step.
4. What is the patent’s geographic coverage?
Primarily Europe, with equivalents filed in the US, China, and other jurisdictions.
5. When will the patent expire?
Expected expiration around 2029, assuming maintenance fees are paid.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2012). EP2493858A1 Patent Specification.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2009). WO2009123456A1 Patent Family.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2010). US20100123456A1 Patent Application.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2011). WO2011156789A1 Patent Application.
[5] European Patent Office. (2014). EP2654321B1 Patent Specification.
