Poolbeg Pharma PLC (LON:POLB, OTCQB: POLBF), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, has provided an update on the strengthening of its intellectual property (IP) position around POLB 001, a small molecule immunomodulator for the treatment of severe influenza.
The US Patent and Trademarks Office, after reviewing a patent application that is directed to the use of POLB 001 and its homologues for the treatment of hypercytokinemia (or “cytokine storm”), has indicated to the Company that the main claim is allowable. Poolbeg anticipates receiving a formal patent grant in due course and has filed a continuing application to seek protection for additional claims around this indication.
Poolbeg has a worldwide license for POLB 001 for all uses in humans and is developing a strong IP portfolio with patent protections in place covering the use of the class of p38 MAP kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of severe influenza and hypercytokinaemia. The Company is exploring the opportunity to expand its IP around this asset to cover new disease areas which could enhance the value of the asset for partnering purposes.
US and European patents have already been granted with claims to the treatment of severe influenza, which is characterised by symptoms that persist or recur for more than two days without signs of resolution, with a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from endothelial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune cells. These granted patents offer protection until at least 2037.
Assessment of applications filed in other territories is ongoing.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma said:
“We are continuing to expand our global patent protection for our growing pipeline of infectious disease products. We are delighted to receive confirmation from the US Patent and Trademarks office that the main claim is allowable, and we look forward to updating the market when we receive the formal patent grant in due course. Enhanced IP protection of our assets across key markets, such as the US, increases the overall value of these products to potential partners. This is particularly important as we move closer to the completion of our POLB 001 LPS human challenge trial, with initial results expected by year end 2022.”
