Sareum shares rise on China patent allowance

Cambridge-based biotechnology firm Sareum Holdings announced on Monday that it has received a notice of allowance from the China National Intellectual Property Administration for its patent application concerning crystalline forms of SDC-1801.

The AIM-traded company said SDC-1801 is its lead drug candidate, describing it as a dual TYK2/JAK1 kinase inhibitor being developed as a potential treatment for a range of autoimmune diseases.

It said the Chinese patent application covered several crystalline forms of SDC-1801 and the methods for their preparation.

The allowance was the first for crystalline forms of SDC-1801 that Sareum had received in any territory.

Patent applications for the same technology were also under review in other major jurisdictions, including the United States, Europe, and Japan.

“We welcome the additional allowance from the Chinese patent office, building on the recent approval of patents protecting the molecular structure of SDC-1801 in all major territories,” said chief scientific officer Dr John Reader.

“This patent, covering various crystal forms, complements our existing molecular structure patents and extends the lifecycle of our patent estate.

“Combined with the encouraging data from the phase 1a trial, this strengthened IP position gives us greater confidence as we look to advance SDC-1801 through clinical development, aiming to address unmet medical needs in various autoimmune diseases.”

At 1414 BST, shares in Sareum Holdings were up 8.6% at 28.78p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.