Peregrine gets new anti-phospholipid patent

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals has reported the issuance of a US patent that further strengthens the company's intellectual property in the field of  phospholipid-targeting agents for the treatment of life-threatening  diseases. The new patent grants composition-of-matter claims that cover  multiple formulations of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding agents  attached to a wide variety of antiviral agents. PE belongs to the  aminophospholipid family that also includes phosphatidylserine, the  target for Peregrine's monoclonal antibody bavituximab that is in a  clinical trial for hepatitis C and in preclinical studies for HIV and  other viral infections. This new patent follows issuance last year of  broad methods patents covering use of PE-binding agents in anti-viral  applications.

"Our anti-viral program has gained momentum over the past year with  prestigious scientific publications and presentations, as well as the  award of a major federal contract to Peregrine for the development of  our anti-PS antibodies for biodefense applications," said Steven King,  chief executive, adding: "our growing patent estate in the  closely-related field of anti-PE binding agents should provide us with  additional scientific and strategic options for leveraging our promising  anti-viral assets."