The European Patent Office intends to grant a European patent to Phyton Biotech (Phyton) for its methods of producing taxanes such as paclitaxel.
Paclitaxel, the active ingredient in Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Taxol, is useful in the treatment of breast, ovarian, lung and other forms of cancer. Phyton produces paclitaxel broth for a major pharmaceutical company under a long-term supply agreement. It is produced in plant cell culture by a proprietary method developed as an alternative to harvesting tree bark or plantations as a taxane source.
Reportedly, the patent will broadly cover methods for producing commercial levels of taxanes such as paclitaxel by cultivating cells of Taxus chinensis in plant cell culture containing effective concentrations of silver and an auxin. Additionally, the patent will protect Phyton’s European production of paclitaxel via its plant cell culture processes.
Moreover, the patent confirms Phyton’s exclusive rights to produce paclitaxel pursuant to this process and may be asserted against any third party using the patented process in Europe, or importing products made by the patented process into Europe.
Harald Heckenmuller, general manager of Phyton, said: “We are pleased that the European Patent Office recognises Phyton’s innovative approach for producing commercial levels of anticancer compounds such as paclitaxel.”