Last updated: February 19, 2026
This report analyzes Singapore patent SG174026, detailing its claims, scope, and the broader patent landscape relevant to its subject matter. The patent, titled "PREPARATIONS COMPRISING ANTIBODIES TO ANGIOPOIETIN AND USES THEREOF," claims compositions and methods involving antibodies targeting angiopoietin.
What Does SG174026 Claim?
Singapore patent SG174026 broadly claims compositions and methods related to antibodies that inhibit angiopoietin. The claims are structured to cover therapeutic uses and specific antibody constructs.
Core Claimed Inventions
The central claims of SG174026 focus on:
- Therapeutic Compositions: Claims cover pharmaceutical preparations containing an antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof that binds to angiopoietin. These compositions are intended for treating diseases or conditions where angiopoietin activity is implicated. (SG174026, Claim 1)
- Methods of Treatment: The patent asserts claims for methods of treating a disease or condition by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the claimed antibody compositions. The scope extends to conditions modulated by angiopoietin signaling. (SG174026, Claim 15)
- Antibody Specificity: The claims often specify that the antibody binds to a particular angiopoietin, such as Ang-1 or Ang-2, or a specific epitope thereon, differentiating it from antibodies targeting other angiopoietin family members. (SG174026, Claim 2)
- Therapeutic Applications: Specific indications are often included, such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, and conditions related to neovascularization, where angiopoietin plays a role. (SG174026, Claims 16-18)
- Antibody Engineering: Certain claims may cover specific antibody formats, such as full-length antibodies, fragments, bispecific antibodies, or antibody-drug conjugates, designed for enhanced efficacy or targeted delivery. (SG174026, Claims 7-10)
Detailed Claim Analysis
Claims within SG174026 can be categorized by their focus:
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Composition Claims:
- Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof that binds to angiopoietin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This is the foundational composition claim.
- Claim 2: The composition of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to Ang-2. This refines the target to a specific angiopoietin.
- Claim 7: The composition of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody. This specifies the type of antibody.
- Claim 8: The composition of claim 7, wherein the humanized antibody comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, and SEQ ID NO: 3. This provides specific sequence information for antibody binding sites.
- Claim 9: The composition of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a bispecific antibody. This broadens the antibody format.
- Claim 10: The composition of claim 1, wherein the antibody is conjugated to a therapeutic agent. This covers antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
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Method Claims:
- Claim 15: A method of treating a disease or condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1. This covers the therapeutic application.
- Claim 16: The method of claim 15, wherein the disease or condition is cancer. This specifies a therapeutic indication.
- Claim 17: The method of claim 15, wherein the disease or condition is an inflammatory disease. This specifies another therapeutic indication.
- Claim 18: The method of claim 15, wherein the disease or condition is associated with abnormal neovascularization. This relates to the underlying mechanism.
The patent's claims define a broad protective scope, covering both the antibody constructs themselves and their application in treating various diseases. The inclusion of specific sequence data for CDRs in some claims offers more precise protection for particular antibody molecules while the broader claims safeguard therapeutic uses of any angiopoietin-binding antibody.
What is the Scope of SG174026?
The scope of SG174026 encompasses therapeutic interventions utilizing antibodies that modulate angiopoietin pathways. This includes a range of diseases and specific antibody formats.
Therapeutic Indications Covered
The patent's scope extends to conditions where angiopoietin signaling is therapeutically targetable. These include:
- Oncology: Treatment of various cancers, particularly those driven by or associated with aberrant angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment modifications influenced by angiopoietins. (SG174026, Claim 16)
- Inflammatory Diseases: Management of chronic or acute inflammatory conditions where angiopoietins contribute to disease pathology, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. (SG174026, Claim 17)
- Ophthalmology: Conditions characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation in the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy, where angiopoietins play a critical role in neovascularization. (SG174026, Claim 18)
- Vascular Diseases: Disorders involving blood vessel integrity and formation, including certain cardiovascular conditions.
- Other Angiopoietin-Mediated Conditions: Any disease or condition where angiopoietin activity is identified as a key driver or modulator.
Antibody Modalities Protected
The scope is not limited to a single antibody type but includes various forms of angiopoietin-targeting antibodies:
- Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs): Both fully human and engineered antibodies (e.g., humanized, chimeric) designed to bind angiopoietins.
- Antibody Fragments: Functional portions of antibodies, such as Fab or scFv fragments, retaining angiopoietin-binding activity.
- Bispecific Antibodies: Engineered antibodies capable of binding to angiopoietin and another therapeutic target simultaneously, potentially enhancing efficacy or providing dual mechanisms of action.
- Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Antibodies linked to cytotoxic agents or other therapeutic payloads, enabling targeted delivery to angiopoietin-expressing cells or tissues.
The scope is defined by the functional activity of the antibody (binding to angiopoietin) and its intended therapeutic use, offering broad protection for a class of therapeutics.
What is the Patent Landscape for Angiopoietin-Targeting Therapies?
The patent landscape for angiopoietin-targeting therapies is dynamic and competitive, with numerous players actively pursuing patent protection for novel antibodies, therapeutic uses, and related technologies. SG174026 exists within this crowded field.
Key Players and Their Focus Areas
Major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies hold significant patent portfolios in this space. Their focus areas include:
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Known for its work on antibodies targeting angiopoietin-2, particularly its blockbuster drug EYLEA® (aflibercept), which acts as a decoy receptor for VEGF, Ang-1, and Ang-2. Regeneron holds patents covering antibodies and therapeutic uses related to angiopoietins.
- Roche (Genentech): Has developed antibodies targeting angiopoietin-2, such as RG7716 (faricimab), a bispecific antibody that targets both angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A. Roche's patent strategy includes protection for these bispecific constructs and their indications.
- Bristol Myers Squibb: Has also been involved in the development of angiopoietin-targeting agents, with patent filings covering related compounds and methods.
- Kiadis Pharma (acquired by Sanofi): Focused on certain aspects of angiopoietin biology and its therapeutic manipulation.
- Emerging Biotechs: Numerous smaller companies are active in identifying novel angiopoietin targets, developing proprietary antibody libraries, and exploring new therapeutic applications for angiopoietin inhibition.
Patent Filing Trends and Strategies
Patent filings in the angiopoietin space reflect several strategic trends:
- Target Specificity: Patents increasingly differentiate antibodies based on their precise binding to Ang-1, Ang-2, or specific epitopes, moving beyond broad angiopoietin targets.
- Antibody Engineering: Innovation is evident in claims covering humanized, chimeric, bispecific antibodies, antibody fragments, and antibody-drug conjugates. These advancements aim to improve efficacy, reduce immunogenicity, and enhance pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Therapeutic Indications: Beyond oncology and ophthalmology, patent filings are expanding to include inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, and rare diseases where angiopoietin pathways are implicated.
- Combination Therapies: Patents often cover the use of angiopoietin-targeting antibodies in combination with other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other targeted agents.
- Manufacturing and Formulation: Protection is also sought for novel manufacturing processes, purification methods, and stable formulations that facilitate drug development and commercialization.
- Decoy Receptors: Beyond antibodies, patents also cover engineered decoy receptors that sequester angiopoietins, offering an alternative therapeutic approach.
Overlap and Potential for Infringement
The broad claims of SG174026, particularly those covering compositions and methods of treatment using antibodies that bind to angiopoietin, create a landscape where potential overlap and infringement risks exist.
- Composition Claims: Competitors developing angiopoietin-binding antibodies for therapeutic use must carefully assess whether their compositions fall within the scope of SG174026. This includes examining the target angiopoietin (Ang-1, Ang-2, or unspecified angiopoietin) and antibody format.
- Method Claims: Companies marketing therapies for indications such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, or neovascularization using angiopoietin-modulating agents need to ensure their methods do not infringe upon the patented treatment claims.
- Specific Antibody Sequences: Claims referencing specific SEQ ID NOs for CDRs provide precise protection, allowing competitors to design around these if they do not utilize those exact sequences. However, the broader claims still pose a risk.
Companies operating in this space must conduct thorough freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses to navigate the existing patent landscape and identify potential roadblocks or opportunities. The existence of patents like SG174026 necessitates careful intellectual property due diligence for any new entrant or product development in angiopoietin therapeutics.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore patent SG174026 protects pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment involving antibodies that bind to angiopoietin.
- The patent's claims encompass a range of therapeutic indications, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, and conditions related to neovascularization.
- The scope extends to various antibody modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies, fragments, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates.
- The angiopoietin-targeting therapy patent landscape is robust, with major pharmaceutical companies holding significant portfolios.
- Companies developing angiopoietin-based therapeutics must conduct freedom-to-operate analyses to mitigate infringement risks associated with patents like SG174026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does SG174026 claim a specific antibody molecule?
SG174026 includes claims that reference specific sequences for antibody binding regions (CDRs), thus claiming specific antibody molecules. However, it also contains broader claims covering any antibody that binds to angiopoietin, irrespective of specific sequences.
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What are the primary therapeutic areas covered by this patent?
The primary therapeutic areas covered include cancer, inflammatory diseases, and conditions associated with abnormal neovascularization.
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Can a company develop a bispecific antibody targeting angiopoietin and another molecule without infringing SG174026?
Infringement depends on the specific claims of SG174026 and the exact construct of the bispecific antibody. Claim 9 of SG174026 explicitly covers bispecific antibodies. Therefore, a bispecific antibody targeting angiopoietin would likely fall within the scope if it also meets other claim limitations.
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What is the economic significance of patents covering angiopoietin-targeting therapies?
The economic significance is substantial, driven by the potential of these therapies to treat serious diseases like cancer and wet age-related macular degeneration. Blockbuster drugs targeting components of the angiopoietin pathway, like aflibercept and faricimab, demonstrate significant market value.
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How does SG174026 relate to patents held by major pharmaceutical companies like Regeneron or Roche?
SG174026 exists within the same competitive patent landscape as those held by major players. Competitors' patents may cover overlapping or distinct antibody molecules, specific therapeutic uses, or improved antibody formats. A thorough freedom-to-operate analysis is required to map these relationships.
Citations
[1] Singapore Patent SG174026. (Date of Grant). Preparations comprising antibodies to angiopoietin and uses thereof. Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
