AUPH - Aurinia adds 11% amid patent wins in the U.S. and EU

Canadian biotech Aurinia Pharmaceuticals ( NASDAQ: AUPH ) jumped ~11% pre-market Wednesday after announcing that the company is on track to receive two new patents in the U.S. and EU covering its lupus nephritis therapy Lupkynis.

The U.S. patent relates to the dosing regimen of Lupkynis consistent with the FDA-approved product label, the company said, adding that it extends the patent protection for Lupkynis up to 2037.

While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has approved Aurinia's ( AUPH ) application for the patent titled "improved protocol for treatment of lupus nephritis," once issued, the company plans to list the newly allowed patent in the Orange Book.

Aurinia ( AUPH ) also announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has also agreed to grant a patent with claims similar to the company's U.S. Patent No. 10,286,036, which represents the FDA-approved method of using Lupkynis. Once issued, the patent is expected to extend the IP protection for Lupkynis up to 2037.

"These new patents, once issued, will enhance the long-term potential of LUPKYNIS," noted Peter Greenleaf, Chief Executive Officer of Aurinia ( AUPH ).

The announcement comes weeks after the company settled a patent dispute with India's Sun Pharmaceuticals ( OTCPK:SMPQY ) over the claims related to Lupkynis.

Seeking Alpha contributor Avisol Capital Partners argues that Aurinia ( AUPH ) "seems to have rekindled buyout chatter" following the end of the patent dispute.

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