Nucleic Acid

Therapeutics

We work with companies and research institutions around the world to protect innovation in nucleic acid-based therapeutics, both in the field of gene therapy and more broadly.

We have worked with clients in the gene therapy space to protect approaches to correction of genetic abnormality, e.g. as exemplified by exon skipping technology for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We have also been at the forefront of IP for targeted gene editing, as exemplified by CRISPR techniques. We also work with a number of clients to protect nucleic acid-based technologies aimed at the downregulation of expression of genetic information. Often exemplified by the concept of antisense sequences, this area is complex and comes in different forms, such as RISC-mediated gene silencing represented by RNAi or RNase H mediated gene silencing represented by gapmers. Advances in sequencing have also opened up the field of potential targets. For example, RNASeq and similar techniques have revealed the transcriptome of long non-coding RNAs that may influence expression of associated genes, and we have been involved in seeking broad platform level protection in this area.

We are also active in helping our clients protect viral vectors and RNA vaccines, which are clearly important and topical in view of the therapies approved to protect against COVID-19.

The development of SELEX revealed a different application of nucleic acids through the identification of aptamers. Typically short in length, these nucleic acids are selected for their high affinity binding to a chosen target and provide an alternative to monoclonal antibodies. Mewburn Ellis were the lead European patent attorneys involved in obtaining protection for this important class of molecule.

Alongside these approaches, developments in nucleotide chemistry, conjugation and encapsulation have helped address problems of delivery to target cells and extension of in vivo half-life, and we help clients to obtain important protection in these areas.

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Opposition Trends in the Life Sciences Sector

Special Report

In spring 2019, Mewburn Ellis undertook 350 hours of research, analysing more than 5,000 opposition cases filed at the European Patent Office over the last ten years, studying the timelines for hundreds of life sciences oppositions both before and after the EPO’s opposition streamlining initiative.

View the 2020 addendum for this report, based on information as it appeared on the EPO Register on 10 January 2021 and from bulk data sets extracted on this date.

 

Download the Report

Read our blogs

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Algae converts sunlight and carbon dioxide into flammable hydrocarbons, offering a like-for-like replacement for fossil fuels.

In vivo Cell Therapy: Breaking Free of the Chains of Ex Vivo Engineering

In vivo Cell Therapy: Breaking Free of the Chains of Ex Vivo Engineering

by Adam Gregory

In vivo cell therapy is emerging as a groundbreaking approach to reduce the cost and expand the availability of cell therapies. Unlike traditional ex vivo approaches where cells are extracted, ...

Innovations in antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies – what you need to know - a new special report

Innovations in antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies – what you need to know - a new special report

by Helen Brew Gerlach

We are delighted to release our latest report Innovations in antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies – what you need to know. View the report here.

Discontinuous Epitope Claims get Green Light in Europe

Discontinuous Epitope Claims get Green Light in Europe

by Edward Couchman

Patents for antibodies defined by discontinuous epitopes have garnered a lot of attention recently. Following the decision of the US Supreme Court in Amgen v Sanofi, it has now been the turn of the ...

Hummingbird Bioscience’s multi-payload ADC technology licensed by Callio Therapeutics

Hummingbird Bioscience’s multi-payload ADC technology licensed by Callio Therapeutics

by Adam Gregory

We are delighted to congratulate our client Hummingbird Bioscience on the successful out-licensing of multi-payload antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology and related intellectual property and ...

Forward Magazines Overlapping 6-compressed

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.