LONDON - Silence Therapeutics plc, the leading European biopharmaceutical company focused on RNA interference, announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted a patent to Silence that covers the company‘s lead product candidate, Atu027, a press release by the company stated.
On January 7, 2009, the EPO issued EP 1 536 827 B1, “Use Of Protein Kinase N Beta,” which covers use of the protein Kinase N3 (PKN3) gene for drug-screening, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
PKN3 is the target for Silence’s lead compound Atu027, which is being developed for the treatment of advanced solid cancers and which is scheduled to enter clinical trials in 2009.
The patent issued to Silence includes claims that cover any small interfering RNA molecule or antisense oligonucleotide used for the treatment of a wide range of cancers.
“This European patent further strengthens Silence’s IP position, and follows November’s grant of the core US patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office,” General Counsel and Vice President, Intellectual Property John Lucas stated.
“This latest patent gives Silence an exclusive position not only with Atu027, but also with any siRNA or antisense molecule used to target PKN3 for the treatment of cancer and other diseases,” he added.
“Silence has made a great start to 2009. Even before our lead compound Atu027 enters the clinic, we have secured our Intellectual Property with an issued patent,” Silence Therapeutics Chairman and CEO Iain Ross said.
“We now have patent protection for Atu027 in the two largest pharmaceutical markets – the US and Europe. Our partners and investors can be confident that Silence can protect its technology and products,” he concluded.
