Pharming granted U.S. patent on C1 inhibitor use in ischemia reperfusion injury indications
Pharming Group NV announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company U.S. Patent 8,071,532, covering a method of preventing, reducing or treating an ischemia and/or reperfusion injury by administering recombinant C1 inhibitor (Ruconest®/ Rhucin®). The broad claims in the patent provide protection until 2028. This is Pharming's first patent granted on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the U.S., and represents a significant milestone in the continuing development of the Company's C1 inhibitor franchise in additional indications associated with reperfusion injury such as Delayed Graft Function (DGF) and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).
The patent relates to a novel method of using recombinant C1 inhibitor (rhC1 INH), being produced either in cell cultures or in transgenic animals, wherein rhC1 INH is administered after the onset of ischemia or the start of reperfusion. Recombinant C1 inhibitor showed - in contrast to plasma-derived C1 inhibitor - to be still therapeutically active in a time span of 6 hours and therefore particularly useful for unforeseen occurrences of ischemic reperfusion such as stroke and myocardial infarction, whereas other claims are directed to treatment during organ transplantations.
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