How Critical is Patent Protection Building for First-in-Class Products

Australian biotech Immutep, (Sydney), specialising in treatments for cancer and autoimmune disease has secured a second European patent for its lead product Eftilagimod alpha, a soluble LAG-3 protein, in combination with a PD-1 pathway inhibitor. Patent EP3473263 entitled “Combined Preparations for the Treatment of Cancer was filed as a divisional application and follows the previously granted parent patent in Europe (Nov 18) and the corresponding US patents (Dec 2020 and March 2021).

“Again, this new divisional patent in Europe is very important as it specifically covers the combination of active ingredients being evaluated in many of our clinical trials, including those reported at the ASCO 2021 Annual Meeting. It also highlights the critical investments we are making to protect efti which underpin further clinical development and commercialisation of this asset. Building a robust patent estate is a priority for our business and a key part of the process of bringing innovative medicines to the market to ultimately improve patient outcomes,” said Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep.

Eftilagimod alpha (“efti” or “IMP321”), is a first-in-class antigen presenting cell (APC) activator being explored in cancer and infectious disease. Immutep is also developing an agonist of LAG-3 (IMP761) for autoimmune disease. Pharmaceutical partners are also developing additional LAG-3 products, including antibodies for immune response modulation.

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