Drug discovery firm welcomes grant of European patent

Evgen Pharma, a clinical stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer and neurological conditions, has announced the grant of further intellectual property rights in Europe for the novel composition, SFX-01.

AIM-listed Evgen, which has offices in Wilmslow and Liverpool Science Park, focuses on treatments for cancer, strokes and Multiple Sclerosis.

It said the newly-granted patent leads with a product claim covering “a composition comprising a complex of sulforaphane and alpha-cyclodextrin”.

Composition-of-matter patents have already been granted in the USA and other territories.

Furthermore, patents in Europe, the US and other territories relating to the method of production have also been granted.

Exclusive worldwide rights to the patent are held by Evgen Pharma under the terms of a licence agreement with PharmAgra Labs Inc, the US laboratory that invented SFX-01.

Evgen chief executive, Steve Franklin, said: “We are delighted by the grant of this important patent in Europe.

“This patent has broad claims relating to the composition of the novel drug substance, SFX-01, and as such represents a material development for the company.

“It further expands the strength and depth of our intellectual property position across all the key territories with regard to the composition of the product and method of manufacture.”

He added: “The overall intellectual property position around SFX-01 and novel analogues has matured into an impressive patent estate, asserting our exclusive position around this new class of pharmaceutical.”