The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted US Patent 8,071,532 to Pharming Group NV, covering a method of preventing, reducing or treating an ischemia and/or reperfusion injury by administering recombinant C1 inhibitor (Ruconest/Rhucin). The broad claims in the patent provide protection until 2028. This is Pharming’s first patent granted on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the US, and represents a significant milestone in the continuing development of the company’s C1 inhibitor franchise in additional indications associated with reperfusion injury such as Delayed Graft Function (DGF) and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).

The patent relates to a novel method of using recombinant C1 inhibitor (rhC1 INH), being produced either in cell cultures or in transgenic animals, wherein rhC1 INH is administered after the onset of ischemia or the start of reperfusion. Recombinant C1 inhibitor showed – in contrast to plasma-derived C1 inhibitor – to be still therapeutically active in a time span of 6 hours and therefore particularly useful for unforeseen occurrences of ischemic reperfusion such as stroke and myocardial infarction, whereas other claims are directed to treatment during organ transplantations.

Sijmen de Vries, Pharming’s CEO said: “We are very pleased with this new patent which further enhances the IP portfolio surrounding our proprietary transgenic platform. In addition, it provides Pharming with an even stronger IP foundation for the potential expansion of our C1 inhibitor franchise into additional clinical indications associated with reperfusion injury, such as DGF and AMI which are significant, commercially attractive markets associated with high unmet clinical needs.”

Pharming’s intellectual property portfolio includes a number of issued patents, both in the United States and in various other countries, related to the Company’s proprietary rabbit based platform, unique to Pharming. The successful industrialization of this platform by Pharming has been validated by the EU approval of the rhC1 INH, Ruconest, and provides unique properties enabling the development of complex proteins that to date have not been produced in an economically viable way.

Furthermore the industrial application of Pharming’s rabbit platform features certain know-how elements specific to Pharming which contribute to significantly lower capital risk and manufacturing expenditures as well as delivering a more flexible supply chain than with any other biologicals production platforms, including larger transgenic animals. It is from this rabbit based platform that Pharming plans to create new development assets to further broaden its pipeline.

Pharming Group NV is developing innovative products for the treatment of unmet medical needs.