New patent approval imminent: Peptech

Sydney-based company Peptech has flagged the imminent approval of another of its anti-TNF antibody patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The USPTO has already granted three of Peptech’s patents, which cover the use of antibodies designed to block the receptor for TNF-1, a cell-signalling molecule that plays a key role in invoking an immune-system attack normal tissues in auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.

In a statement, the company said the USPTO web site showed Peptech’s patent application number 09/736,793 would be issued on December 24 with patent number 6,498,237.

“Our patent attorneys have previously advised that we should await official confirmation from the USPTO before making an official release to the ASX,” the company said.

“Such confirmation is awaited. We will keep the market fully appraised of any development in this regard.”