Clovis Oncology Prevails in European Patent Proceedings Related to Rubraca

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  • Ruling will confirm European regulatory exclusivity for Rubraca until at least 2028
  • Clovis also recently received a patent for using Rubraca in high doses to treat cancer in the US


Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLVS) announced on 12/4/18 after opposition proceedings at The Hague, Netherlands, that the European Patent Office upheld claims of European Patent 2534153 in amended form covering certain crystalline forms of rucaparib camsylate, including rucaparib S-camsylate Form A, the crystalline form in Rubraca.

In addition to the rucaparib camsylate patent protection through at least 2031 confirmed today, the commercial form of Rubraca is also entitled to European regulatory exclusivity until at least 2028 (and 2029 if an indication in a second tumor type is approved). Also, Clovis has filed for supplementary protection certificate (SPC) extension on this rucaparib camsylate patent in various European countries, which if approved, would provide extension of protection until 2033 under this patent.

In its oral decision announced at the hearing, the Opposition Division upheld claims, narrowed from the originally granted patent, to certain crystalline forms of rucaparib camsylate. These forms include, but are not limited to, the commercial product. The European Opposition Division found patentability of the claimed forms based on the inventiveness of these crystalline forms and a constellation of unexpected properties. The European patent was opposed by two opponents. Clovis and/or either opponent have an opportunity to appeal the decision of the European Opposition Division within two months of the written decision, which is expected in the next few months. If appealed, all claims in the originally granted patent will remain in force until the Technical Board of Appeal issues its decision.

Clovis also recently received good news for Rubraca on the patent front in the US. In November of 2018, Clovis received a patent in the US that covers methods of treating cancer with high dosage strengths of Rubraca. The patent covers all the available commercial doses of Rubraca — 200mg, 250mg and 300mg — and will expire in 2035. This is the 11th patent for Rubraca as listed in the Orange Book.

Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian, metastatic castration-resistant prostate, and bladder cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway. Clovis holds worldwide rights for Rubraca. Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the U.S. and Europe.