Benzinga | Jun 2, 2021 05:22AM EDT

Immutep Granted Second European Patent For Eftilagimod Alpha, A Soluble LAG-3 Protein, In Combination With A PD-1 Pathway Inhibitor

Immutep Limited (NASDAQ:IMMP) is pleased to announce the grant of patent numberEP3473263 entitled "Combined Preparations for the Treatment of Cancer" by the European Patent Office.

This European patent was filed as a divisional application and follows the grant of the European parent patent announced in November 2018, and the corresponding United States patents announced in December 2020 and March 2021.

The claims of the new European divisional patent build on the protection provided by the parent patent and protect Immutep's intellectual property relating to combined therapeutic preparations comprisinglead active immunotherapy candidateeftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), which is a soluble LAG-3 fusion protein (LAG-3Ig),and (b) aPD-1orPD-L1inhibitor. The claims are also directed to related methods of use in the treatment of cancer. The patent expiry date is 8 January 2036.

"Again, this new divisional patent in Europe is very important as it specifically covers the combination ofactive ingredients being evaluated in many of our clinical trials, including those being reported at the upcoming ASCO 2021 Annual Meeting.It also highlights the critical investments we are making to protect efti which underpin further clinical development and commercialisation of this asset. Building a robust patent estate is a priority for our business and a key part of the process of bringing innovative medicines to the market to ultimately improve patient outcomes," said Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep.