Poolbeg Pharma Plc (LON:POLB, OTCQB: POLBF), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting diseases with a high unmet medical need, has announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the Japanese Patent Office in relation to its Immunomodulator I patent application.
The claims deemed allowable cover a p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitor for use in the treatment of severe influenza in human patients and strengthens the Company’s robust intellectual property in the territory. Grant of the application as a patent is expected upon completion of formalities.
Poolbeg Pharma has a worldwide licence for POLB 001 for all uses in humans and is developing a strong IP portfolio with patents in place, including Immunomodulator I and Immunomodulator II, covering the use of the class of p38 MAP kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitors for the treatment of severe influenza and hypercytokinaemia. The Company has also filed patent applications to expand its IP around POLB 001 and the use of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors in new disease areas, such as oncology. This enhances the value and attractiveness of POLB 001 to potential pharma partners.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Poolbeg Pharma, commented: “This milestone is a testament to the uniqueness of p38 MAPK inhibition as a potential blockbuster treatment for severe influenza. We are committed to continuing to strengthen the intellectual property protection of our portfolio of assets into new jurisdictions to increase their overall value to potential partners.”
Footnote:
Immunomodulator I: Use of p38 MAPK inhibitors for the treatment of severe influenza
Immunomodulator II: Use of p38 MAPK inhibitors in combination with antiviral compounds for treatment of severe influenza, and the use of p38 MAPK inhibitors, alone or in combination with an antiviral agent, for the treatment of hypercytokinaemia
