Poolbeg Pharma plc (LON:POLB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines for unmet medical needs, has announced the granting of a US patent for its lead candidate, POLB 001. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officially granted Poolbeg's US Immunomodulator I patent application, covering POLB 001 and other p38 MAP kinase inhibitors.
This significant development protects the company's intellectual property (IP) surrounding POLB 001's application in treating severe influenza. Specifically, the patent encompasses the use of POLB 001 and related compounds for treating patients at high risk of developing severe influenza following an immune response, as well as for managing the hypercytokinemia, often referred to as a "cytokine storm," that characterises severe cases of the disease. POLB 001 is a potent and selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitor currently in Phase II-ready development, exhibiting substantial promise across various therapeutic areas.
The newly granted patent adds to Poolbeg's existing IP portfolio, which already includes patents protecting p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for severe influenza treatment and POLB 001 for hypercytokinemia. The company is actively pursuing further patent applications to broaden its IP coverage for POLB 001 and the wider class of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. A key area of focus for these applications is cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a serious adverse effect that can occur with certain cancer immunotherapies. This strategic expansion of the IP portfolio is a cornerstone of Poolbeg's approach, designed to enhance the value and marketability of POLB 001, particularly in attracting potential collaborative partners.
In a statement, Dr Jeremy Skillington, Chief Executive Officer of Poolbeg Pharma, highlighted the importance of this patent award: "This award from the US patent office significantly strengthens the IP protection for our lead development candidate, POLB 001. Robust intellectual property is fundamental to value creation in the biopharmaceutical sector. Each new patent not only safeguards our asset but also enhances the commercial attractiveness of POLB 001 for prospective partners. We are highly encouraged by the potential of POLB 001 to address substantial unmet medical needs and remain committed to pursuing high-value programmes and partnerships to progress the development and commercialisation of our assets."
The successful acquisition of this US patent represents a substantial step forward for Poolbeg Pharma. It solidifies the company's position in the development of novel treatments for influenza and other conditions involving hypercytokinemia, bolstering its prospects for securing future collaborations and ultimately bringing innovative therapies to patients. The company's ongoing efforts to expand its patent portfolio demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting its intellectual property and maximising the potential of its lead candidate, POLB 001.
