PolyTherics announced that a further patent has been issued by the US Patent Office for TheraPEG, PolyTherics’ proprietary method of improving the pharmacokinetic properties of proteins and peptides. The patent consolidates PolyTherics’ TheraPEG patent portfolio, which covers proteins PEGylated using TheraPEG, the reagents and the conjugation process.
PolyTherics has successfully applied its TheraPEG technology to a range of proteins and peptides, including interferons, blood factors and a variety of antibody formats. The latter include antibody fragments (Fabs), single chain antibodies (scFv) and novel entities such as MacroGenics’ Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting molecules (DART). Nuron Biotech Inc has recently announced an exclusive option and license agreement with PolyTherics to use TheraPEG to develop NU400, a long-acting version of its proprietary recombinant human interferon beta-1b, which could enter the clinic in 2012 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
John Burt, CEO of PolyTherics commented “We are pleased that our TheraPEG patent estate has been further extended in the US with this second US patent, which strengthens our position in offering a solution for proteins and peptides in need of half-life extension. Licensees of PolyTherics’ TheraPEG technology will enjoy the benefit of the additional patent protection for their products developed using the TheraPEG technology”.
Source: Polyteherics Ltd.