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26 August 2004
Pharming
acquires Patent Portfolio of PPL Therapeutics
QED Intellectual Property Limited (QED) today announced that the
Pharming Group N.V. (Euronext: PHARM) (“Pharming”) has
acquired a significant patent portfolio from PPL Therapeutics plc
(“PPL”). Pharming has acquired these patents to strengthen
its product pipeline and protein production technology.
The patents, licence and related know-how cover various products
and technologies, including the production and purification of recombinant
human fibrinogen and recombinant tissue sealant compositions.
“We are pleased to be able to strengthen our recombinant
fibrinogen and recombinant tissue sealant products by acquiring
PPL patents and processes, which saves Pharming time and resources
in the development of these products”. said Dr. Francis Pinto,
CEO of Pharming. “In addition, this transaction significantly
advances the worldwide patent position of our protein production
technology along with recent agreements with Infigen and ProBio
and will allow Pharming to actively pursue licensing and partnering
opportunities”.
Also included are patents on the production of recombinant protein
products and production technology patents for proteins, fusion
proteins, as well as peptides. The patents cover the production
of several recombinant proteins, including Alpha-1-Antitrypsin,
Factor IX, and others.
Neil Muttock, Managing Director of QED said, “We are pleased
to transfer these rights to a company like Pharming, which is a
market leader in this sector. PPL having pulled out of this sector,
wanted to maximise the value of its remaining assets and we are
pleased sell the intellectual property to Pharming who are committed
to further investment in this field”.
QED and PPL are both subsidiaries of Innovation Development Limited.
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Key Facts on Patent Portfolio
Pharming has acquired 57 issued patents, including 19 in the US
as well as several pending patent applications of PPL Therapeutics.
• Patents and licenses obtained cover the production and
purification of human recombinant fibrinogen and recombinant tissue
sealant compositions.
• Patents in the portfolio include the production of several
recombinant proteins such as Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Bile Salt Stimulated
Lipase, Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase, Alpha-lactalbumin and
Factor IX.
• Patents acquired cover the production technology for recombinant
proteins, fusion proteins and peptides.
• Pharming has obtained access to processes and know-how for
the large scale GMP grade purification of recombinant fibrinogen.
Background on Pharming Group N.V.
Pharming Group N.V. is developing innovative protein therapeutics
for unmet medical needs. The Company’s products include potential
treatments for genetic disorders and specialty products for surgical
indications. Pharming’s lead product for Hereditary Angioedema
is in Phase III of clinical development. The advanced technologies
of the Company include novel platforms for the production of protein
therapeutics, as well as technology and processes for the purification
and formulation of these products. Additional information is available
on the Pharming website, http://www.pharming.com
For further information please contact:
Europe:
Rein Strijker
Pharming Group N.V.
T: + 31-(0)71-524-7406
USA:
Samir Singh
Pharming Group N.V.
T: + 1-908-720-6224
Neil Muttock
QED Intellectual Property Ltd.
T: + 44 (0) 20 8848 6690
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