According to the MMR, the patent is an asset relating to its vaccine trials and use of customized tumor cells to treat lymphoma patients. Over the past 12 months, MMR identified a portfolio of biotech assets which include its anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, data from vaccine trials, patient tumor samples and other intellectual property including other worldwide patents in various stages.
Recently, MMR has acquired this intellectual property and related technology through its reverse merger with Favrille, a biopharmaceutical company, in January 2009.
MMR said that Favrille had already spent in excess of $200m developing its Specifid vaccine, which, similar to the Dendreon vaccine, is also intended to work as a customized vaccine made from the idiotype protein from a patient’s own tumor cells. Specifid was being created to treat lymphoma before its trials were ended in 2008.
Robert Lorsch, chairman and CEO of MMR, said: “This patent represents a significant step in our efforts to have a series of MMR post-merger petitions pertaining to filings regarding its biotech vaccine granted. The company is optimistic about the status of additional decisions from the US Patent and Trademark Office and other patent authorities worldwide.”