An opposition has been filed against one of the European patents in Cantargia’s patent family covering antibody therapy in solid tumors.

The patent confers protection for e.g. IL1RAP targeted antibodies in tumor forms not already covered in the European mother patent, which was granted in 2016. The current opponent, Mab Discovery GmbH, also filed an opposition against the mother patent in 2016. That opposition was unsuccessful and the mother patent, valid until 2032, remains in force after the opposition proceedings were concluded in 2018.

The next step is a formal procedure where Cantargia is invited to comment on the opposition

In addition to granted composition of matter patents on CAN04, Cantargia also has two patent families covering several aspects around antibody therapy against IL1RAP to treat cancer, states the company. These patent families concerning IL1RAP comprise more than 80 granted patents and almost 30 additional pending patent applications worldwide. Mab Discovery GmbH, filed oppositions against two of Cantargia’s granted European patents during 2016. These oppositions were unsuccessful and both patents remain in force after the opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office, EPO, were concluded.

To broaden the protection obtained in these patents, Cantargia filed divisional applications. One of these divisional applications has been granted by the EPO and covers e.g. additional solid tumor indications. Mab Discovery has now filed an opposition against that patent, and the next step is a formal procedure where Cantargia is invited to comment on the opposition. It should be noted that this opposition has no direct formal impact on the previously granted mother patents, states Cantargia.

“Years behind us in the development”

“We are surprised that a new opposition has been filed. We believe our patents around IL1RAP as a target for antibody therapy are strong and that the opposition is groundless. However, the opposition confirms other parties interest around the commercial opportunities around IL1RAP as a target for cancer therapy, even though years behind us in the development,” says  Göran Forsberg, Cantargia’s CEO.