Genflow Biosciences (LSE:GENF), the London-listed developer of gene therapies targeting the biology of ageing, said the Japan Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant for a patent application covering SIRT6 variants used in preventing and treating age-related diseases.
The allowance adds Japan, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets with one of its oldest populations, to Genflow's international patent estate, which already includes a US patent application covering a SIRT6 variant for liver disease published in August and a foundational compound-of-matter application granted Track One prioritized examination by the USPTO the same month.
Genflow also said additional animal health companies have signed confidentiality agreements to evaluate its SIRT6 gene therapy for use in companion animals, broadening a partnering pipeline that already spans multiple Tier-1 veterinary health counterparties reviewing data from the company's lead canine programme, GF-1002.
"Growing interest from animal health companies reflects the breadth of opportunity for our approach beyond human medicine," said Dr Eric Leire, Genflow's chief executive.
Separately, Genflow's Belgian subsidiary applied to the Walloon Region for a research grant of approximately €0.76m, intended for an 18-month MASH research project, but the region's selection committee did not approve the application at initial review.
The company has requested the file be reopened for a subsequent committee meeting and said its MASH programme continues as planned, adding that its financial guidance never assumed receipt of the grant and is unaffected by the decision.
Genflow's SLAB trial in aged beagles met its primary endpoint last month, with full methylation-clock and muscle histology results due for presentation at the Animal Longevity Summit in Toronto on 1-2 October.