Poolbeg Pharma PLC (AIM:POLB, OTCQB:POLBF) said it has been granted a US patent for the use of its small molecule immunomodulator, POLB 001, and related p38 MAP kinase inhibitors to treat hypercytokinaemia.
The condition is a hyperinflammatory response to viral infection, cancer or autoimmune response.
The latest patent allows the use of POLB 001 in combination with an antiviral agent, enhancing the robust IP portfolio protecting Poolbeg's growing pipeline, the company said in a statement.
Jeremy Skillington, chief executive of Poolbeg Pharma, commented: "Enhanced IP protection of our assets across key markets, such as the US, increases the overall value and attractiveness of these products to potential partners. This is particularly important in the light of the recent favourable results from our POLB 001 LPS human challenge trial announced on March 2, 2023."
Poolbeg has a worldwide licence for POLB 001 for all uses in humans and is developing a strong IP portfolio with US patent protection in place covering the use of a wide range of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for the treatment of symptoms of severe influenza and hypercytokinaemia.
The company also has a European patent for the class of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for use in the treatment of severe influenza.
It has filed a patent application to seek class protection for the novel use of p38 inhibitors in CAR T cell treatment, opening up a significant new market opportunity for POLB 001 beyond severe influenza.
Poolbeg said it continues to explore opportunities to expand its IP around this asset to cover new disease areas that could enhance the value of the asset. The company is working with its patent advisors to broaden and expand its patent families.