Albuminomics Patent Portfolio
Three granted/filed patents from INSERM / CHU Limoges / Université de Limoges, covering a complete “3-level” functional and structural diagnostic platform based on HSA post-translational modifications.
Inventors on all patents: Souleiman El Balkhi (lead), Franck Saint-Marcoux, Jean-Baptiste Woillard.
The 3-Level Platform
All three levels operate on a single blood draw and analyze HSA from complementary angles:
| Level | Patent | Technology | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US20220018852 | ICP-MS (SEB Test) | Functional binding capacity of albumin |
| 2 | WO2024074685 | Top-Down LC-MS isoform profiling | Structural etiology signature (ALD vs MASH) |
| 3 | WO2025099157 | Top-Down LC-MS + myoglobin IS | Absolute quantification of isoforms |
Level 1 — Functional (SEB Test)
Measures the effective binding capacity of albumin by spiking serum with 5 metal/organic ligands (Cu, Co, Au, Cd, T4/dansylsarcosine) and quantifying the free (unbound) fraction via ICP-MS. A high free fraction = albumin is structurally damaged and cannot bind toxins. Detects liver dysfunction earlier than ALT/AST.
Level 2 — Structural / Etiological (Isoform Profiling)
Identifies and quantifies up to 14 HSA isoforms by Top-Down LC-MS. Key finding: disease-specific PTM signatures:
- ALD signature: elevated HSA-DA (N-terminal dipeptide truncation, −186 Da)
- MASH/NASH signature: elevated HSA-SGGS (S-glutathionylation) + HSA-2Glyc (double glycation)
- Use case: liquid biopsy for liver disease etiology without biopsy; clinical trial cohort purity screening (exclude hidden alcohol consumers from MASH trials)
Level 3 — Absolute Quantification
Solves the longstanding problem of mass accuracy and absolute quantification in Top-Down proteomics. Myoglobin co-injected as internal standard enables:
- Real-time mass recalibration to <3 ppm error
- Absolute quantification without isotope labeling
- Extended to hemoglobin → HbA1c precision measurement resistant to hemoglobin variants
IP Status
| Document | Type | Filed | Published | Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO 2020/104458 A1 | PCT (members: US 2022/0018852 A1; EP 3 884 280 B1 granted; ES 2 971 966 T3) | PCT Nov 2019 | 2020 | INSERM, CHU Limoges, Univ. Limoges |
| WO 2024/074685 A1 | PCT Application | ~2023 | 2024 | INSERM, CHU Limoges, Univ. Limoges |
| WO 2025/099157 A1 | PCT Application | ~2024 | 2025 | INSERM, CHU Limoges, Univ. Limoges |
Strategic Value
The portfolio positions the group at the intersection of three high-growth markets:
- Hepatic diagnostics — non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy (FIB-4 + FibroScan complement, not compete)
- Theranostics for albumin therapy — companion diagnostic for Grifols/CSL Behring albumin infusion (ANSWER trial, ATTIRE trial)
- Clinical trial services — cohort purity tool for MASH pharma trials (Resmetirom, etc.)
See technology-transfer for full commercialization strategy and albuminomics-partnerships for specific partner proposals.
Publication Basis
- el-balkhi-2024-seb — SEB Test (Level 1): rat early-detection model + human pilot (45 cirrhotic vs 45 controls, Sci Rep 2024); large multicentric validation ongoing via MALAHBAR (560 pts / 8 CHUs, readout ~2027)
- lakis-2024 — Absolute quantification method (Level 3 basis)
- el-balkhi-2025 — ALBOM study clinical validation (Level 2) — published, Sci Rep 2026, DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-57614-y (Open Access)