#United States #Philadelphia #Integral Molecular #Paratope-PLUS™ #antibody engineering

Integral Molecular Launches Paratope-PLUS™

In a significant advancement for the field of antibody discovery and engineering, Integral Molecular has unveiled its latest service, Paratope-PLUS™. This innovative CDR-scanning technology is tailored to fortify patent claims for antibodies, addressing challenges posed by recent updates to U.S. patent regulations.

Responding to Patent Challenges

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently modified its guidelines regarding the patenting of antibodies. This development, coupled with a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated broad functional claims for antibodies, has created a complex landscape for intellectual property (IP) in this domain. Paratope-PLUS™ emerges as a strategic solution, leveraging Integral Molecular's two decades of expertise in high-throughput mutagenesis and antibody characterization.

Benjamin Doranz, CEO of Integral Molecular, articulated the urgency of innovation in this area, saying, “The Supreme Court's decision last year to invalidate broad antibody functional claims rewrote the rules for patents, creating an IP dilemma.” With the introduction of Paratope-PLUS™, the company aims to provide essential insights and data to navigate these complexities effectively.

How Paratope-PLUS™ Works

Paratope-PLUS™ employs an advanced method of CDR (Complementarity Determining Regions) scanning that involves mutating every residue of an antibody’s CDRs into 19 different amino acids. This comprehensive approach allows for the identification of variants that either retain or enhance functionality, enabling antibody developers to claim broader 'genus' patents based on the paratope—a core structural element that interacts directly with the target antigen.

Key Features of Paratope-PLUS™ Include:

• - Complete Variant Data: Users receive detailed expression and binding data for each antibody variant. This transparent data is crucial for making informed decisions about which variants to pursue in patent claims.
• - Broad Patent Claims Support: By effectively defining genus claims around common structural features, Paratope-PLUS™ supports compliance with USPTO requirements, ensuring newly developed antibodies meet both enablement and written description criteria.
• - Enhanced Engineering Opportunities: The data collected through this service not only supports patenting efforts but also provides insights for antibody engineering, paving the way for the creation of therapeutics that are both innovative and compliant with regulation.

Implications for the Biotech Industry

The introduction of Paratope-PLUS™ is a timely response to a critical need within the biotech sector. Antibody developers often struggle to navigate the stringent requirements of patent applications, especially in light of recent legal challenges. Integral Molecular’s new service aims to alleviate these pressures, encouraging innovation in therapeutic development.

The company has already integrated its technologies into the drug discovery pipelines of over 600 biotech and pharmaceutical firms. Companies focused on addressing tough targets, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, are expected to benefit significantly from this new offering.

Conclusion

Paratope-PLUS™ represents a forward-thinking solution, empowering antibody developers to protect their intellectual property effectively while fostering innovation in treatment options. As the landscape of patent law continues to evolve, services like Paratope-PLUS™ will be crucial in navigating these changes and ensuring the robustness of antibody engineering endeavors.

For those interested in discussing how this groundbreaking CDR-scanning service can enhance antibody development and patent strategies, Integral Molecular invites inquiries from antibody developers and researchers.