Other

3i Research Exploitation Limited

Nicholas J Wald

Jacob A Canick

Howard S Cuckle

Malcolm R Law

James E Haddow

Christopher Redman

This invention relates to a method for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, a formulation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the use of specified active principals for the manufacture of such a formulation for use in the method and to a method of preparing said formulation. The formulation of the present invention is a combination of active principals for use in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, notably ischaemic heart disease (including heart attacks) and stroke among the general adult population.

Formulation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease

A method is provided which enables a prediction to be made about the risk of a pregnant woman developing pre-eclampsia which comprises an analysis of the serum levels of screening markers, Inhibin A and free &bgr;-hCG. Apparatus for carrying out the determination of the risk of developing pre-eclampsia based on the analysis of the serum samples is also provided.

Predictive test for pre-eclampsia

A method of screening for fetal Down's syndrome is described. Screening marker levels are measured. These may be measurements of a biochemical marker in a maternal sample or measurements of a marker from an ultrasound scan. The marker levels are used to calculate a risk of Down's syndrome. Instead of using markers from a single stage of pregnancy, the method uses markers from two or more different stages of pregnancy, typically one being in the first and another being in second trimester. The method may be automated.

Antenatal screening for Down's syndrome

Kits are provided for prenatal screening tests for risk of Down's syndrome which are carried out on a maternal serum sample obtained before the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. The kits contain immunoassay means to determine alpha-fetoprotein, unconjugated oestriol, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and/or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

Kit for prenatal screening for Down's syndrome

A prenatal screening test for risk of Down's Syndrome in a foetus, which is carried out on a maternal blood sample before the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, by assaying the sample for a metabolite of feto-placental activity which is affected by the presence of Down's Syndrome, selected from unconjugated oestriol; progesterone; 16-alpha-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (16-alpha-hydroxy-DHEAS); and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). An additional assay for alpha-fetroprotein and/or human chorionic gonadotrophin may be included.

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London, United Kingdom

Nicholas J Wald