VaxThera, a Colombian biotechnology company focused on the development of vaccines and biological products that contribute to the health sovereignty of the country and the region, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted the patent for its universal vaccine against the coronavirus. It comprises a mosaic protein that allows for broad protection coverage against different coronaviruses, as well as their different variants.
“We are proud of the hard work behind this patent. This achievement is an important milestone for VaxThera and demonstrates Colombia’s ability to develop new drugs against threats and the importance of protecting its intellectual property rights. In addition, this application has been filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which allows us to simultaneously seek protection of this invention in other territories such as Colombia, Brazil, India, South Africa and Europe.“, indicated Jorge E. Osorio, president of VaxThera.
Obtaining this patent reinforces VaxThera’s position and experience as a biotechnology company that seeks to transform science, research and development into benefits that contribute to improving the quality of life of Colombians and Latin Americans and offer the region the health independence it needs to face future diseases. It should be noted that, since 1998, vaccines have not been produced in Colombia and although the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) includes 21 vaccines that protect against 26 diseases, none are produced locally.
Local production contributes to the recovery of the national pharmaceutical industry, since in addition to establishing an equitable, effective and efficient distribution for the entire country, it improves access to products aimed at preventing diseases that impact public health. All of this represents a contribution to the economy, through employment, the generation of resources from the export of biological products and the reduction of costs for those who distribute them.
This milestone – obtaining this patent – is also a recognition of the company’s rigor, innovation, effort and investment, which through an arduous technical process of more than three years has demonstrated that its invention is novel and has industrial application. Daniela Lopera, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at VaxThera highlights that “Patents are highly strategically important titles for companies in the technology sector, especially those in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, as they represent an important means of protecting their innovations and incentivizing their research and development activities.”
VaxThera positions the national pharmaceutical industry with this patent
In a global context of growing demand for innovative medical solutions, intellectual property becomes a fundamental pillar for the advancement and competitiveness of the vaccine industry in Colombia. Obtaining patents encourages investment in research and development, ensuring that companies can take advantage of their inventions for the benefit of the community. It also encourages collaboration between institutions, facilitating access to advanced technologies and improving the country’s capacity to respond to health challenges.
To achieve this important achievement, VaxThera had the support, advice and guidance of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.an American firm specializing in intellectual property in the biotechnology sector.The only asset that a start-up research biotechnology company like VaxThera possesses at the beginning of its corporate life is its intellectual property. This patent protects that intellectual property in the US market and globally values the contribution made by the company’s pioneering scientists.“, said Dr. Jorge Goldstein, founder of the firm, considered one of the pioneers of biotechnology patent law in the United States.
VaxThera, as a Colombian company with Seguros SURA as a founding partner, is working with its own capabilities, collaborative networks, cutting-edge technology and national and international experts who will help strengthen the transfer of knowledge to achieve vaccine autonomy and thus be prepared for future pandemics. The granted patent allows the Company the possibility of having exclusivity over the invention for 20 years and thus continue on the path of reindustrialization of the health sector by producing vaccines and biological products locally.
