Poolbeg Pharma (POLB ) has secured a European patent covering its lead asset POLB 001 for the treatment of severe influenza.
POLB 001 is a potent and selective p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) inhibitor with potential across multiple disease areas, including the prevention and treatment of cancer immunotherapy-induced Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and severe influenza. The company estimates that CRS linked to cancer immunotherapy alone represents a potential market opportunity of over US$10 billion.
Poolbeg is building a broad, global IP estate covering the use of p38 MAPK inhibitors in patients with severe influenza and for the prevention and treatment of cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS. The latest patent grant in Europe enhances POLB 001’s protection in a major pharmaceutical market and, in turn, its attractiveness to potential partners.
The company believes this reinforced IP position adds to the strategic value of POLB 001 as it progresses development and continues partner discussions.
“This patent grant from the European Patent Office highlights the strong progress we continue to make in developing and strengthening our IP portfolio for POLB 001 across multiple disease indications,” said Poolbeg Pharma Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Skillington, PhD.
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This new European protection adds another important brick in Poolbeg’s IP wall around POLB 001, particularly in severe influenza. For a clinical-stage small cap built around a lead asset, stronger territorial patent cover should support partnering talks in both influenza and cancer immunotherapy-related CRS, where the addressable market is sizeable.