As reported on PharmaTimes, Poolbeg Pharma has secured a Canadian patent protecting the use of p38 MAPK inhibitors, including its lead candidate POLB 001, for preventing cytokine release syndrome (CRS) associated with cancer immunotherapy. The decision represents another step forward in building the company’s international intellectual property footprint in oncology.
The newly granted patent is the second national approval within this patent family, following an earlier authorization in Australia in March 2026. Together, these decisions reinforce the protection around POLB 001, which is being developed to address CRS—a potentially serious inflammatory complication linked to immunotherapies such as CAR‑T and monoclonal antibodies.
Poolbeg initially submitted its oncology-related patent filings in the United Kingdom in early 2023, before expanding internationally through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process in 2024. The Canadian application benefited from the Patent Prosecution Highway framework, which allows faster review in regions where related claims have already been approved.
The company’s broader IP portfolio encompasses both oncology-driven CRS and severe influenza, positioning POLB 001 as a versatile anti-inflammatory therapeutic candidate. Additional patent applications are currently under review in other jurisdictions, suggesting continued expansion of coverage in key global markets.
According to Poolbeg, strengthening its patent estate is central to enhancing the commercial value of POLB 001, particularly as it progresses through clinical development. Interim results from the ongoing TOPICAL trial are expected in the coming months, which could further inform its therapeutic potential and partnership prospects.
Chief executive Jeremy Skillington highlighted the significance of the Canadian approval, noting that it builds on recent momentum in extending protection for POLB 001 across multiple territories. He also emphasized that continued patent expansion, alongside emerging clinical data, is expected to increase interest from potential collaborators.
CRS remains a significant challenge in the growing field of cancer immunotherapy, and targeted interventions such as p38 MAPK inhibition may offer new approaches to managing this complication. With additional data and regulatory milestones anticipated, Poolbeg’s progress in both intellectual property and clinical development will be closely watched.
