PolyTherics is granted a further patent for its TheraPEG PEGylation technology
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PolyTherics Limited announced that a further patent has been issued by the US Patent Office for TheraPEG™, PolyTherics’ proprietary method of improving the pharmacokinetic properties of proteins and peptides. The patent consolidates PolyTherics’ TheraPEG™ patent portfolio, which covers proteins PEGylated using TheraPEG™, the reagents and the conjugation process.
PolyTherics has successfully applied its TheraPEG™ technology to a range of proteins and peptides, including interferons, blood factors and a variety of antibody formats. The latter include antibody fragments (Fabs), single chain antibodies (scFv) and novel entities such as MacroGenics’ Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting molecules (DART™). Nuron Biotech Inc has recently announced an exclusive option and license agreement with PolyTherics to use TheraPEG™ to develop NU400, a long-acting version of its proprietary recombinant human interferon beta-1b, which could enter the clinic in 2012 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
John Burt, CEO of PolyTherics commented: “We are pleased that our TheraPEG™ patent estate has been further extended in the US with this second US patent, which strengthens our position in offering a solution for proteins and peptides in need of half-life extension. Licensees of PolyTherics’ TheraPEG™ technology will enjoy the benefit of the additional patent protection for their products developed using the TheraPEG™ technology”.