Grant of first POLB 001 cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS patent

Poolbeg Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announces that it has received formal notification of the grant for its POLB 001 cancer immunotherapy-induced Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) patent application from IP Australia, the Australian patent office.

This represents the first national grant within Poolbeg's cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS patent family, marking an important milestone for the Company. Poolbeg continues to actively build a comprehensive, worldwide IP portfolio, with patents covering use of p38 MAPK inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS, as well as severe influenza.

This patent covers the use of any p38 MAPK inhibitor, including POLB 001, for the prevention of cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS, supported by proprietary data generated by the Company. Poolbeg initially filed its oncology patent applications in the UK in January 2023, and subsequently filed a Patent Cooperation Treaty application in January 2024. To accelerate examination, Poolbeg utilised the Patent Prosecution Highway, an international framework that enables expedited review following a favourable patent examination in another participating jurisdiction.

This grant further strengthens the Company's robust intellectual property portfolio, enhancing POLB 001's future value and appeal to potential partners. The Company looks forward to providing further updates to the market regarding the extension of coverage in other jurisdictions in due course.

Jeremy Skillington, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Poolbeg Pharma, said:

The grant by IP Australia of our first patent for cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS represents an important step in strengthening our global intellectual property position for POLB 001. With the TOPICAL trial on track to deliver interim data in summer 2026, the timing of this first patent grant could not be better. Protection in this indication is a key component of our strategy, and securing this coverage in Australia provides valuable support for the continued advancement of POLB 001. We look forward to progressing corresponding applications in other jurisdictions, expedited by the use of the Patent Prosecution Highway international framework.

*TOPICAL: Trial of Prevention of ImmunoCytokine Adverse events in Myeloma. A single-arm, open-label trial investigating POLB 001 as a potential preventative for CRS in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving the approved bispecific antibody, teclistamab, provided by Johnson and Johnson at no cost to Poolbeg.