Poolbeg Pharma PLC (AIM:POLB) has secured a Notice of Allowance from the Israeli Patent Office for its POLB 001 cancer immunotherapy-induced cytokine release syndrome patent application.
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, which is focused on the cancer immunotherapy field, is developing POLB 001 as a potentially preventative oral therapy.
Cytokine release syndrome, or CRS, is a serious and sometimes life-threatening immune reaction triggered by certain cancer treatments.
The Israeli decision follows a grant decision in Europe and formal grants in Australia and Canada.
The application covers the use of p38 MAPK inhibitors, including POLB 001, to prevent cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS, underpinned by the company's proprietary data.
Having passed examination, the application is expected to progress to full grant in due course.
The board said the growing patent estate strengthens the strategic and commercial appeal of POLB 001 to potential partners as it advances through clinical development.
Chief executive Jeremy Skillington said continued momentum in the global intellectual property strategy was crucial to strengthening the drug's position.
He described the Israeli allowance as an important step towards securing full patent protection and a reflection of the strength of the company's scientific approach.
