ProQR defends RNA editing platform at EPO
Opposition Division upholds patent challenged by 'straw men' | Biotech has seen off challenges to patents in Europe and Japan.
Dutch biotech ProQR has successfully defended a patent covering its ribonucleic acid (RNA) editing platform Axiomer, following an opposition at the European Patent Office (EPO) filed in June 2021.
On Friday (April 19), the EPO’s Opposition Division ruled that ProQR’s patent—EP3507366—was maintained.
ProQR’s Axiomer platform uses a cell’s own editing machinery called ADAR to make specific nucleotide edits in RNA, potentially resulting in treatments for rare and prevalent diseases.
The ‘366 patent contains broad platform claims including: “An antisense oligonucleotide (AON) capable of forming a double stranded complex with a target RNA sequence in a cell, preferably a human cell, for the deamination of a target adenosine in the target RNA sequence by an ADAR enzyme present in the cell.”
René Beukema, chief corporate development office and general counsel at ProQR, said: “This decision further supports the confidence we have in the broad scope conferred by our IP estate protecting our proprietary Axiomer ADAR-mediated RNA editing technology platform, and the use of chemically modified oligonucleotides to increase stability and recruit endogenous ADAR to edit the target adenosine.
“Given the importance and value of our IP portfolio, we intend to continue to defend against such challenges and remain confident in our leading position, as we progress our science, platform, and pipeline.”
Axiomer patents upheld
In February this year, ProQR said it had defended an Axiomer patent in Japan, JP7244922, with the Japanese Patent Office rejecting an opposition filed in September 2023 and indicating that all claims were to be maintained.
The EPO ruled in favour of the company in March 2023 regarding an opposition to European patent EP3234134— also related to Axiomer—after a minor amendment of the main claim and one dependent claim.
ProQR said the oppositions to all the patents were filed by so-called ‘straw men’ (third parties that hold property in intermission for the sole purpose of transferring it to another).
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