FREMONT, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) announced that the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office decided today at an oral proceeding to uphold claims in the company’s European Patent No. 0 451 216 (‘216 patent) that are virtually identical to the claims remitted to the Opposition Division by the Board of Appeal. The patent covers the production of humanized antibody light chains that contain amino acid substitutions made under PDL’s antibody humanization technology and provides specific coverage for our daclizumab antibody.
“We are pleased by the Opposition Division’s decision today and believe that the claims as upheld afford us an important level of intellectual property protection,” said Mark McDade, chief executive officer, PDL. “Today’s decision further solidifies the overall strength of our patent portfolio which, combined with our commercial platform and pipeline assets, forms the foundation of our future growth.”
PDL has fundamental patents in the field of humanized monoclonal antibodies in the United States and in Europe, as well as additional patent applications in the United States (U.S.), Europe and Japan. Currently, nine humanized antibody products are marketed for instance in the U.S. and Europe and licensed under PDL’s humanization patents.
The opponents in this week’s proceeding, which took place in Munich, Germany, have the right to appeal the decision to the Technical Board of Appeal at the European Patent Office. If any of the opponents appeal, the ‘216 patent would continue to be enforceable during the appeal process. The European Patent Office granted PDL the ‘216 patent in 1996 and it was initially opposed shortly thereafter.
Forward-looking Statements
The information in this press release should be considered accurate only as of the date of this press release. PDL has no intention of updating and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in this press release for any reason, except as required by law, even as new information becomes available or other events occur in the future. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements because of various factors, risks and uncertainties. For further information regarding factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences, please refer to the filings PDL has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections of PDL’s Quarterly and Annual Reports, copies of which may be obtained at the “Investors” section on PDL’s website at www.pdl.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
About PDL BioPharma
PDL BioPharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies for severe or life- threatening illnesses. Commercially focused in the acute-care hospital setting, PDL markets and sells its portfolio of products in the United States and Canada. A pioneer of antibody humanization technology, PDL promotes this technology through licensing agreements and clinical development of its own diverse pipeline of investigational compounds. PDL’s research platform centers on the discovery and development of antibodies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. For more information, please visit www.pdl.com.
NOTE: PDL BioPharma and the PDL BioPharma logo are considered trademarks of PDL BioPharma, Inc.
PDL BioPharma, Inc.
CONTACT: Investor Relations, Jean Suzuki, +1-510-574-1550, orjean.suzuki@pdl.com, or Corporate Communications, Kathleen Rinehart,+1-510-574-1480, or kathleen.rinehart@pdl.com
Web site: http://www.pdl.com//
