Cellmid (ASX: CDY) has announced that the US Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for the company's patent application 12/312,522 entitled 'Antibody recognising C-domain of midkine'.
The patent covers antibodies and antibody fragments which bind to the functional C-domain of growth factor midkine (MK) - antibodies of any kind that bind to key MK C-domain epitopes are covered.
"Significantly, this patent also includes composition of matter claims for MK-specific antibodies, including Cellmid’s lead humanised antibody CAB102," the company said.
The granted claims cover the use of any such antibodies for prevention and treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and any disease or disorder attributed to cell migration.
In published studies, the MK C-domain has been demonstrated as the key region promoting signalling and pathology attributed to MK, the company said.
According to the company, blocking the C-domain therefore represents a powerful potential treatment option in many MK-related diseases as has been shown in a number of animal models.
“Having this patent granted in US for our MK antibodies across such a wide array of diseases is a tremendous commercial outcome for Cellmid,” said CEO Maria Halasz.
“This patent adds to already covered territories of Europe, Japan and Australia. This family gives Cellmid strong and exclusive rights to develop MK antibodies unencumbered by competition. Moreover, Cellmid’s patent coverage for its therapeutic antibodies now extends across cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and surgical adhesion,” she said.
Cellmid’s patent portfolio currently includes 88 patents in 21 patent families, which cover use of MK and anti-MK agents for therapeutic purposes in a number of diseases, as well as the use of MK as a diagnostic marker in cancer and other disorders.