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Crucell Reacts to Recent CEVEC Press Release

18 Jan 2008 - Crucell N.V. reacted to a press release issued by German company CEVEC Pharmaceuticals GmbH. In their press release CEVEC announced that one of Crucell's PER.C6® patents for protein production was restricted by a recent decision of the European Patent Office. Crucell states that the suggestions made in CEVEC's press release are misleading.
 
On 7 December 2007, the opposition division of the European Patent Office maintained Crucell's patent for protein production (EP1161548), with only a minor limitation to a claim that is not relevant to the scope of protection of the patent.
 
CEVEC lodged opposition against the patent. The company requested the revocation of the patent in full. The opposition has however been rejected on all essential points.
 
The only limitation that was made has no consequence for the scope of protection of the patent as a whole. The essential claims of the patent, those for the method of producing a recombinant protein, have been maintained without any limitation.
 
"This favorable ruling by the European Patent Office has significantly strengthened Crucell's patent estate," said Bart Klein, Crucell's Executive Vice President Intellectual Property. "Anyone who wishes to produce a recombinant protein of any type on PER.C6® cells, infringes the PER.C6® patent, unless Crucell has granted a license."