IMMUNOMEDICS AWARDED PATENTS FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THERAPY

Immunomedics has received notices that the U.S. and Australian patent offices have allowed claims in respective patent applications covering methods for treating a wide range of autoimmune diseases using monoclonal antibodies that bind to the CD22 antigen present on B-lymphocytes.

The allowed claims cover the use of the company's lead product, epratuzumab, which is a humanized anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody. The claims also cover the use of anti-CD22 antibodies, alone and in combination with other therapeutics, including antibodies, cytokines, or drugs, for the treatment of major autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes mellitus, and ulcerative colitis.

The company already has received patents for the use of CD22 antibodies in the therapy of B-cell lymphomas.