Silence received a notice of intention to grant from the European Patent Office for patent application EP 3 222 724B, further strengthening its innovative chemical modification technology patent family in Europe, which sits at the heart of the current therapeutic siRNA field.
Silence has further filed a cross-border interim injunction application in the Netherlands (where Alnylam holds its Marketing Authorisation for Onpattro), requesting the courts to prohibit Alnylam from commercialising Onpattro across Europe until the resolution of the trial to determine infringement of EP 3 222 724B by Onpattro.
Despite requests not to do so, Alnylam has openly commercialised Onpattro in the face of the Silence claims. The Company therefore feels that it has been left with no alternative other than to take the necessary steps to enforce its patents and protect the historic investment made in its technology.
Onpattro remains accused of infringement of Silence European Patent EP 1 847 547B in the United Kingdom and Portugal and Silence is seeking injunctive relief in these territories to restrain Alnylam’s infringement.
The UK trial is to be held in December 2018, with a decision expected in early 2019. While Silence continues to protect its rights and inventions, the Company remains focused on executing its core business of drug discovery and development to continue to build its therapeutic pipeline.
Silence Therapeutics CEO David Horn Solomon said: “Silence continues to innovate with new, competitive RNAi medicines. During 2017 & 2018, the European Patent Office has upheld the validity of our expanding patent estate with the granting of additional patents around our foundational chemical modification IP.
“When companies openly promote new product commercialisation in the face of relevant granted patent rights, Silence Therapeutics will take steps to enforce its patents and protect the historic investment made in its technology.”
Source: Company Press Release.