Poolbeg Pharma plc (LON:POLB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of innovative medicines targeting diseases with a high unmet medical need, has announced that the US Patent Office has notified the Company of its official decision to grant Poolbeg’s US Immunomodulator I patent application.
The claims cover POLB 001, and other p38 MAP kinase inhibitors, for the treatment of patients at risk of severe influenza after an immune response has been triggered, and for the treatment of hypercytokinemia (cytokine storm) characteristic of severe influenza. POLB 001 is a potent and selective Phase II-ready p38 MAP kinase inhibitor with strong potential across multiple disease areas.
This patent grant further strengthens Poolbeg’s robust Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio. The Company has patents in place covering p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for the treatment of severe influenza; and covering POLB 001 for the treatment of hypercytokinemia. Further patent applications have been filed and have complementary coverage as the Company continues to expand its patent portfolio covering POLB 001 and the wider class of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors, particularly in respect of cytokine release syndrome induced by cancer immunotherapies. Building a robust IP portfolio is a key focus for Poolbeg to further enhance POLB 001’s value and attractiveness to potential partners.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Poolbeg Pharma, commented: “This award by the US patent office further strengthens the IP for our lead development candidate, POLB 001. Strong IP is the foundation of value creation in biopharma, and with each new patent, we not only protect our asset but also increase the commercial appeal of POLB 001 to prospective partners. We are excited by the potential of POLB 001 to address critical unmet medical needs and we remain focused on high value programmes and partnerships to develop and commercialise our assets.”
