Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Silence Therapeutics has announced the successful opposition of a fundamental Alnylam Pharmaceuticals European patent resulting in the patent being revoked in its entirety.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
The Opposition Division of the European Patent Office, following a three-day hearing, announced its decision to revoke the European patent exclusively licensed to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals from Cancer Research Technology. Cancer Research Technology and Alnylam are expected to appeal the decision.
Opposition briefs to the Glover patent had been filed by Silence Therapeutics, Sanofi-Aventis, Quark Biotech, Sirna Therapeutics, and Nucleonics. The patent, commonly referred to as the ‘Glover’ patent, broadly relates to medicaments comprising an RNA interference mediating RNA molecule.
Jeff Vick, CEO of Silence Therapeutics, said: “The Glover patent was arguably Alnylam’s broadest patent and the successful opposition represents an important victory for us in allowing us to maintain our freedom to operate.”