U.K. court invalidates Regeneron mouse patents

Kymab Ltd. (Cambridge, U.K.) said the English High Court revoked two patents from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) protecting VelocImmune mice and humanized mouse antibodies derived from the mice. Regeneron spokesperson Alexandra Bowie said the company intends to appeal the decision.

Kymab said the court invalidated EU Patents Nos. EP1360287 and EP2264163, stating that the discoveries were unpatentable because they "lack the required evidence that they could be practiced." Kymab and Regeneron independently engineered mice that have a functional immune system with a larger human Ig sequence component than previous transgenic mice and can be used to produce humanized antibodies (see BioCentury, May 1, 2014). ...