EWING, N.J., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Redpoint Bio Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: RPBC), a company focused on the development of healthier foods and beverages and new approaches to the treatment of diabetes and obesity, today announced the issuance of Patent No. 7,749,730 B2 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "High Throughput Screening Assay for the TRPm5 Ion Channel."

The patent covers methods of using a high-throughput screen to discover certain modulators of the TRPm5 ion channel. The TRPm5 ion channel is a member of a larger class of related TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) ion channels that are involved in the sensation of heat, cold, and spicy compounds. The TRPm5 ion channel was originally identified as an important component of taste signaling circuits responsible for sensing sweet, savory, and bitter compounds on the tongue. Recently, an emerging body of scientific evidence has demonstrated that the TRPm5 channel is also found in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, suggesting a potential role in the regulation of metabolism and satiety. Specifically, TRPm5 may be involved in the secretion of important hormones like GLP1 and insulin that control sugar uptake and metabolism. Consequently, modulators of TRPm5 could potentially find application as a new therapy for adult-onset diabetes and obesity.

Diabetes is a chronic disease afflicting over 24 million Americans and its poor control is the principle cause of blindness and kidney failure. Consequently, there is a continuing need for new and improved diabetes therapies, especially in an aging and increasingly obese population, which both correlate with an increased incidence of adult-onset diabetes.

"This patent is part of our expanding portfolio in the TRPm5 area and reflects our continuing interest in investigating TRPm5 modulators as novel therapeutics for diabetes," said Ray Salemme, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Redpoint Bio.

About Redpoint Bio Corporation

Redpoint's understanding of the biology of taste and its relationship to metabolism, satiety, and diabetes impact both the development of healthier foods and potentially, new approaches for treating diabetes and obesity. Redpoint is developing taste modulators for the food and beverage industry with the aim of enhancing sweet and savory flavors in food and beverage products which can lead to reductions in added sugar and salt. The development of healthier and more tasteful food can contribute to improving the overall health of the world's population, since many modern diseases are related to excess dietary sugar and salt. Recent scientific research suggests that many of the same taste-signaling components found on the tongue are also expressed as part of a nutrient-sensing system located in the gastrointestinal tract which could lead to new opportunities for the discovery of novel diabetes or obesity therapeutics. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.redpointbio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide the Company's current expectations or forecasts of future events. The Company's performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to, among other factors, the uncertain economic viability of production of RP44 on a commercial scale, the Company's inability to enter into additional collaboration agreements or raise additional capital to sustain operations, uncertainty inherent in the discovery phase of technological development, any efforts by third parties to invalidate or limit any patents, the marketplace acceptance of its products, the decisions of regulatory authorities, the results of clinical trials and general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the food and beverage, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries generally. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement. 


    Redpoint Bio
    Scott Horvitz, 609-637-9700, ext. 207
    Chief Financial Officer
    shorvitz@redpointbio.com

    or

    The Trout Group (for Redpoint Bio):
    Lee M. Stern, 646-378-2922

    or

    Redington, Inc.
    Thomas Redington, 212-926-1733

SOURCE Redpoint Bio Corporation