“We have over the years built up a broad, solid patent portfolio and generated strong clinical as well as preclinical results for nadunolimab and CAN10. This appeal confirms the significant commercial opportunities around Cantargia’s assets and strengthens our view that we are on the right track,” said Göran Forsberg, CEO of Cantargia.

Cantargia has extensive patent protection for IL1RAP-targeting antibodies and their use in therapy and diagnostics of cancer, including leukemias and solid tumors. Cantargia’s patent portfolio includes over 100 patents globally, granted in key commercial territories such as the US, Europe, Japan and China. A composition of matter patent for CAN10 has been granted in the US, with additional applications pending in other major territories.

European patent law allows third parties to file oppositions against newly granted patents. The appeal reported today is a common subsequent step to this process, and the specific background is described below:

In late 2021, oppositions were filed by third parties against EP3293202. This patent belongs to the same family as the composition of matter patent for nadunolimab which remained unchallenged. Following oral proceedings held on July 5, 2023, the EPO Opposition Division ruled that EP3293202 would be maintained with a new claim scope, encompassing a broad range of variants of nadunolimab with similar functional and structural properties.

Cantargia today reported that one of the opponents has filed a Notice of Appeal against the EPO Opposition Division’s decision to maintain EP3293202. Following the Notice, the appellant is to submit its detailed Grounds of Appeal within two months. The appeal process has an expected duration of 2-3 years. It should be noted that Cantargia’s other European patents, or similar patents outside Europe, are not affected by this action.