Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LON:FARN) has moved to further protect its potential cancer immunotherapy, Clevegen.
European regulators have granted the AIM-quoted firm a patent for the use of its Clever-1 antibodies – the mechanism behind Clevegen.
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The decision extends the existing patent estate for the immunotherapy until 2030, although Faron is looking at securing additional intellectual property around the treatment that could extend protection until the end of 2038.
Clevegen is based on Faron's Tumour Immunity Enabling Technology and “promising” pre-clinical data has already hinted at the product’s potential in a broad range of indications, including immuno-oncology, chronic infections and vaccination enhancement.
A planned Phase I/II trial that will target patients with liver, melanoma, ovarian and pancreatic cancer is currently under review by regulators, but Faron hopes to make a start this year.
“The grant of this patent serves to protect the innovative mechanism underlying Clevegen, which will be important in realising the potential our second wholly-owned product promises,” said chief executive Markku Jalkanen in a statement on Thursday.
“The target receptor Clever-1 is already patent protected but our wider strategy is to establish a broad portfolio of intellectual property for the company and our pipeline products.
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“We look forward to taking Clevegen into the clinic later this year and providing an in-depth update on its development at our R&D Event in February.”
Faron shares held steady at 835p in afternoon trading.
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