Prima US subsidiaries score patent wins

US patents have been granted to Arthron and Cancer Vac, subsidiary companies of Australian company Prima BioMed.

Prima announced that Arthron had been awarded a patent for a series of compounds that inhibit the Fc receptor. Cancer Vac's patent is for a protein that can be used to 'immunise' against tumour cells.

Arthron's first compound to be tested, VIB 153, has been tested in mice. Results announced in February this year indicated that the compound blocked the development of rheumatoid arthritis in mice.

Prima CEO Marcus Clark said big drug firms had shown "a lot" of interest in the Arthron results.

"The lead anti-inflammatory compound from this granted patent has already shown activity against the human receptor in mice, and this has generated much interest from overseas," Clark said.

"This news will add further value to the intellectual property licensed to Arthron exclusively and to those ongoing discussions.

"Now these companies will see that we have a monopoly in the US, which is 35 per cent of the market worldwide."

According to Clark, Cancer Vac's patent will assist in raising money for further development and boost its patent portfolio.