Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a patent review (2010-2015)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, like anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, are revolutionizing therapeutic concepts in the treatment of cancer. Said class of drugs will represent a multi-billion dollar market over the coming decade. Many companies have therefore developed important patent activities in the field.

Areas covered: The present review gives an overview of the patent literature during the period 2010-2015 in the field of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In particular, the review presents a selection of international patent applications related to inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, IDO, TIM3, LAG3, TIGIT, BTLA, VISTA, ICOS, KIRs and CD39.

Expert opinion: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are now widely accepted as a key component of the therapeutic strategies in cancer. This fervent activity creates a maze of third-party patents that pose considerable risks for both newcomers and established companies. We can thus anticipate that the number of patent conflicts and disputes will increase in the near future. Treatments will involve combination therapy comprising at least one immune checkpoint inhibitor and companies will multiply patent filings in this field. Finally, we can expect that patents related to biomarkers that will render a patient eligible to a treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor will have tremendous commercial value.

KEYWORDS:

• Immune checkpoint
• inhibitors
• cancer
• antibodies
• PD-1
• PD-L1
• CTLA-4
• IDO
• TIM3
• LAG3
• TIGIT
• BTLA
• VISTA
• ICOS
• KIRs
• CD39

Article highlights

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing therapeutic concepts in the treatment of cancer.

• The highest patent activity pertains to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies but we can expect that a new generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors will emerge soon (e.g. IDO, TIM3 and LAG3 inhibitors).

• Patents related to combinations of treatment comprising at least one immune checkpoint inhibitor will certainly multiply in the future.

• Patents related to biomarkers that will render a patient eligible to a treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor will have tremendous commercial value.

  This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

M Collin is involved in the presentation of some patent applications. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.