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Pharmaceutical industry

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Secures Key Patent for Xenotransplantation Program

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Alexion Pharmaceuticals has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent (No. 5,705,732) related to the company's xenotransplantation program. This patent is exclusively licensed to Alexion and covers transgenic animals expressing a crucial human complement inhibitor known as CD59. The issuance of this patent will enable Alexion to continue building its patent estate focused on xenotransplantation, solidifying its position at the forefront of xenotransplantation research and development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent, titled "Universal Donor Cells," covers transgenic animals expressing CD59, a crucial human complement inhibitor.
  • Alexion has exclusively licensed this patent from Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and Yale University.
  • The scientific discoveries embodied in this issued patent stem from collaborative work done by scientists at Alexion, OMRF, and Yale.
  • Xenotransplantation involves the transplantation of non-human organs and tissues into human patients, with the genetic engineering of pigs expressing human complement inhibitors providing a means of protecting the cells, tissues, and organs of these pigs from destruction by the human immune system.
  • Alexion is pioneering a double-barreled approach to the problem of hyperacute rejection, in partnership with United States Surgical Corporation (NYSE: USS).
  • The company commenced a program with USSC in July 1995 to develop xenotransplant products worldwide.
  • Several thousand patients die each year in the U.S. due to inadequate organ supply, with the demand for organ transplantation increasing at an annual rate of 15-20%.
  • Alexion is developing three technology platforms: C5 Complement Inhibitors, Apogen T-Cell Therapeutics, and xenografts for organ transplants.
  • The company is engaged in the development of selective immunotherapeutic drugs designed to target severe cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders.

Statistics:

  • The patent expires in 2024 (15 years from the date of issuance).
  • Several thousand patients die each year in the U.S. due to inadequate organ supply.
  • The demand for organ transplantation is increasing at an annual rate of 15-20%.
  • Approximately 100,000 patients yearly would medically benefit from organ transplantation if sufficient organs were available.
  • Alexion Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1992.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire January 6, 1998
  • Quote from Leonard Bell, M.D., President and CEO of Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

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