Medicago wins European patent for influenza virus-like particles in plants

The European Patent Office (EPO) has granted Medicago a patent protecting exclusive rights to produce influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) in plants through July 2028.

Patent titled ‘Influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising hemagglutinin produced within a plant’ was originally filed by the biopharmaceutical company on 11 July 2008.

Medicago business development vice president Frederic Ors said as the company expands the development of influenza vaccine programs, the coverage offered by the patent strengthens its position.

“Additionally, we believe the patent enhances our IP position and further illustrates our competitive advantage with respect to the development of VLPs and other recombinant proteins in plants,” Ors added.

“In our opinion, our innovative method of rapidly producing efficacious influenza VLPs is a required technology for strengthened protection of the population against biological threats.”

The company’s IP portfolio currently comprises more than 500 patents and patent applications protecting in over 45 countries.