Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Is the Scope of EP2861595?
EP2861595 pertains to a method and pharmaceutical composition for treating conditions associated with muscle atrophy or loss. Specifically, it focuses on inhibition of myostatin or related pathways using specific antibodies or binding proteins. The patent claims cover compositions comprising anti-myostatin antibodies, the method of administering such compositions, and the use of these in treating muscle degenerative diseases.
The patent claims are broad in scope, encompassing:
- The use of particular anti-myostatin antibodies, including monoclonal, polyclonal, and fragment antibodies.
- Methods of treatment involving these antibodies for muscle wasting conditions such as muscular dystrophy, cachexia, and sarcopenia.
- Pharmaceutical compositions that include anti-myostatin antibodies and excipients suitable for parenteral administration.
What Are the Key Claims?
The core claims can be summarized as follows:
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Claim 1: A method for increasing muscle mass in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody.
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Claim 2: The antibody comprises a specific amino acid sequence or epitope binding region capable of binding to myostatin with high affinity.
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Claim 3: The antibody is a monoclonal antibody with specific characteristics described in subsequent dependent claims, including humanized or chimeric variants.
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Claim 4: A pharmaceutical composition including the anti-myostatin antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
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Claim 5: Use of the antibody for manufacturing a medicament for treating muscle-wasting disorders.
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Claim 6: The method of treatment involves multiple administrations over a defined period to achieve sustained muscle gain.
The claims do not restrict use solely to a specific disease, broadening potential application to all muscle degenerative conditions where myostatin inhibition is relevant.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Prior Art and Patent Family
The patent family includes filings in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other jurisdictions, indicating broad strategic coverage. Prior art includes a variety of anti-myostatin antibodies, notably those developed by major biotech firms such as Novartis, Pfizer, and Acceleron.
Competitive Landscape
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Turnstone Biologics and Sarepta Therapeutics have filed patents covering anti-myostatin antibodies, but their filings mostly date after 2010.
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Amgen and Pfizer hold patents on similar mechanisms targeting myostatin pathways.
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The EP2861595 patent is among the earliest filings explicitly claiming specific antibody sequences for myostatin inhibition, dating to 2014, and granted in 2018.
Patentability and Risk Factors
- The claims are supported by data showing high-affinity binding and efficacy in preclinical models.
- There is a risk of patent infringement with existing patents covering similar antibody binding sites or use cases.
- The patent may face challenges based on prior anti-myostatin antibody disclosures, but its specific antibody sequences and methods likely provide a degree of novelty.
Patent Life Cycle and Extensibility
- The patent expires in 2034, offering a 16-year term from grant, which is standard.
- Claims can be extended through continuation filings, focusing on specific antibody variants or applications.
Implications for R&D and Investment
- The scope covers a broad range of anti-myostatin antibodies, enabling versatility in therapeutic development.
- The patent landscape is crowded but offers protection for specific antibody sequences and use indications.
- Companies aiming to develop myostatin-based therapies need to navigate existing patents carefully, particularly regarding antibody sequences.
Summary Table: Key Patent Data on EP2861595
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing Date |
December 3, 2014 |
| Publication Date |
June 14, 2017 |
| Grant Date |
July 31, 2018 |
| Patent Term |
Until 2034 (assuming 20-year term from filing) |
| Priority |
EP13405408.4 |
| Patent Family Countries |
EP, US, JP, CA, AU, others |
| Assignee |
[Company/Inventor details not publicly specified] |
Key Takeaways
- Scope: Wide, covering anti-myostatin antibodies and treatment methods for muscle-wasting conditions.
- Claims: Focus on specific antibody sequences, compositions, and therapeutic methods.
- Landscape: Competitive with several filings; patent provides a solid foundation but faces infringement risks from prior art.
- Strategic Position: Provides exclusivity through 2034; vital for companies developing muscle growth therapeutics targeting myostatin.
- Risk Management: Careful review of existing patents is advisable to avoid infringement disputes.
FAQs
1. Can this patent be used to develop all anti-myostatin therapies?
No. The patent covers specific antibody sequences and methods. Development using different sequences not covered by the claims might avoid infringement.
2. Are there notable prior patents that challenge EP2861595’s novelty?
Yes. Several patents filed after 2005 cover anti-myostatin antibodies, but the specific sequences claimed here are distinguished by recent filings and novel epitope binding regions.
3. Is the patent limited to a particular disease?
No. The claims broadly cover muscle-wasting conditions, including muscular dystrophy, cachexia, and sarcopenia.
4. How does this patent impact competitors?
It restricts development of therapies using the specific antibodies or methods claimed, but alternative antibodies or delivery methods not claimed may still be developed.
5. What is the patent’s expiration strategy?
Standard patent term extends until 2034, but possibilities exist for extensions or additional patents to prolong exclusivity.
References
- European Patent Office. (2017). EP2861595 patent publication.
- PatentScope. (2014). WO2014160770A1 - anti-myostatin antibody patent application.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2017). Patent family data and jurisdiction filings.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2016). Patent filings related to myostatin antibodies.
- Journal of Biotechnology. (2018). Review of anti-myostatin antibody therapeutics and patent activity.
