Athera Receives Allowance of Key Patent for CVD Antibody Therapy
Solna, Sweden, August 23th, 2011 - Athera Biotechnologies, part of the
Karolinska Development portfolio, announced today that the US Patent Office
intends to grant a key patent related to the Company's intellectual property
covering its therapeutic antibody candidate PC-mAb. Following subsequent grant,
the patent will provide strong protection for pharmaceutical uses of PC-mAb for
the treatment of atherosclerosis and prevention of ischemic cardiovascular
diseases. The corresponding European and Australian patents have already been
granted and further applications are pending worldwide.
"This US patent strengthens our efforts in building an attractive and
competitive pharmaceutical product portfolio in cardiovascular disease," says
Carina Schmidt, Athera Biotechnologies CEO. "I am convinced that PC-mAb has the
potential to develop into a medicine that will fulfill important medical needs.
We can see this also in a great interest from the pharmaceutical industry to
explore partnering opportunities with Athera for future clinical developments."
About Athera Biotechnologies AB (publ)
Athera has a unique and in-depth understanding of the immunological components
in atherosclerosis, the inflammatory process leading to cardiovascular disease
(CVD). The company currently has two biopharmaceutical product candidates aimed
at treating patients with cardiovascular conditions and a biomarker linked to
the therapeutic approach.
PC-mAb from Athera is currently in pre-clinical development, using a unique
fully human monoclonal antibody. PC-mAb is being developed to restore cardio-
protective levels of anti-PC and prevent secondary CVD events after acute
coronary syndrome.
In addition, Athera has developed a biomarker and companion diagnostic CVDefine®
kit. The biomarker, anti-PC, is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular
disease and could in the future be used for identification of patients that
benefit from Athera's novel therapeutics.
Athera, a Swedish company, is part of the Karolinska Development AB (publ)
portfolio. www.athera.se
For further Information:
Athera Biotechnologies AB (publ)
Chief Executive Officer
Carina Schmidt
Tel +46 761938190
c.schmidt@athera.se
Athera Receives Allowance of Key Patent for CVD Antibody Therapy:
http://hugin.info/143298/R/1540436/470967.pdf
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Source: Athera Biotechnologies AB via Thomson Reuters ONE
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