GeneMedix granted monomeric insulin patent
UK biopharmaceutical company GeneMedix has had its first patent issued for a novel monomeric insulin.
UK biopharmaceutical company GeneMedix has had its first patent issued for a novel monomeric insulin.
The fast-acting insulin analogue was discovered by scientists at the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBCB), with whom GeneMedix has agreements to commercialise new technology.
The International Patent Application Number PCT/GB00/03460 was filed in September 2000 and the first national patent has been granted in Australia. The Australian patent entitled is valid for 20 years from 8 September 2000. National patent reviews are currently underway in other major territories including Europe and the US.
The company intends to develop the analogue through to completion of Phase I clinical trials before securing an international partner to complete the development and commercialisation of the product. There are two fast acting insulin analogues currently marketed by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk with combined sales estimated to be in excess of US$1bn. Analogues are the fastest growing segment in the $4.4bn world insulin market.
'This is a significant event for GeneMedix,' said GeneMedix ceo Paul Edwards. 'It is the first piece of novel technology from our partners at the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology for which we have been granted a patent outside of China. Also our potential ability to develop a novel insulin analogue, together with our ongoing development programme for a generic human insulin, underlines our determination to be a significant player in the global multibillion dollar diabetes market.'