Poolbeg Pharma PLC (AIM:POLB, OTC:POLBF, FRA:POLBF) earlier this week announced that it had secured its first national patent grant covering its POLB-001 programme in cancer immunotherapy-induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into oncology.
Chief executive Jeremy Skillington said the patent, granted by IP Australia, covered the use of P38 MAPK inhibitors, including POLB-001, for preventing CRS linked to cancer immunotherapy. He noted that the protection was supported by proprietary data and followed a “thorough review by the examiners,” highlighting the strength of the company’s scientific approach.
Skillington described the development as difficult to overstate in importance, pointing out that it represents Poolbeg Pharma PLC’s first national patent grant in the oncology space. He added that the timing was particularly favourable, with interim clinical data expected in the summer, positioning the company to advance discussions around potential partnerships.
The chief executive emphasised that intellectual property remains a central consideration for large pharmaceutical companies when evaluating partnership opportunities.
He explained that drug development requires substantial investment, often running into billions of dollars, and that patent protection provides a period of market exclusivity that underpins commercial returns. Strong patent coverage, he said, reduces uncertainty and enhances the long-term viability of a programme.
Proactive: Jeremy, very good to speak with you. And great news this morning. You've secured your first POLB-001 cancer immunotherapy induced CRS patent. Tell us more.
Jeremy Skillington: Good morning. We've received formal notice of grant from IP Australia. The patent covers the use of P38 MAPK inhibitors, including POLB-001, for the prevention of cancer immunotherapy-induced cytokine release syndrome. This is supported by proprietary data generated by Poolbeg. We're delighted with the breadth of the coverage following thorough review by examiners. We initially filed oncology patent applications in the UK in January 2023 and followed with a Patent Cooperation Treaty application in January 2024 to accelerate examination globally.
Proactive: Jeremy, why is this patent grant particularly exciting for the company?
Jeremy Skillington: It’s hard to understate how important this is. This is our first national grant in the cancer immunotherapy space. We have interim data coming in the summer, so the timing is perfect. It locks in our position in cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS. We already have patents in influenza and hypercytokinemia, and expanding into oncology shows confidence that we’re moving in the right direction. We now have protection in Australia and hope to expand into other territories.
Proactive: Why does Big Pharma see such value in patent protection on drugs such as POLB-001?
Jeremy Skillington: Pharma looks at multiple factors when partnering, but intellectual property is critical. Developing drugs can cost billions, and patent protection provides exclusivity to recoup that investment. It prevents generic competition and reduces uncertainty. Strong patents are essential for making a commercial opportunity viable. With this patent and others to follow, we’re strengthening the long-term value of the programme and positioning it for partnership.
Proactive: What are the next steps in expanding this intellectual property portfolio?
Jeremy Skillington: Expanding our IP portfolio is ongoing. We’re working closely with IP attorneys to extend protection for P38 MAPK inhibitors in treating cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS across multiple jurisdictions. Using accelerated pathways like the patent prosecution highway will help. At the same time, the team is focused on executing the clinical trial and delivering interim data in the summer. It’s full steam ahead, and we look forward to updating the market on upcoming milestones.
Proactive: Looking forward to that as well. Jeremy, congratulations on this latest milestone.