Poolbeg Pharma (POLB)  has secured a Canadian patent grant covering the use of POLB 001 and other p38 MAPK inhibitors for the prevention of cancer immunotherapy-induced Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS).

The grant marks the second national approval within Poolbeg’s oncology patent family after a patent was granted in Australia in March 2026. The company said the patent is supported by proprietary data generated internally and further strengthens its growing intellectual property portfolio.

Poolbeg originally filed its oncology patent applications in the UK in January 2023 before entering the international Patent Cooperation Treaty process in January 2024. The Canadian approval was accelerated under the Patent Prosecution Highway programme, which allows faster examination where favourable rulings have already been obtained in other participating territories.

The company added that its intellectual property estate now covers both cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS and severe influenza across several jurisdictions, while additional patent applications remain under review in other territories.

Poolbeg is currently advancing POLB 001 through the TOPICAL trial, which is investigating the drug as a potential preventative treatment for CRS in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving teclistamab. Interim data from the study is expected this summer.

Poolbeg Pharma’s Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Skillington said: “This Canadian patent grant, coming shortly after our first oncology patent grant in Australia, further strengthens our IP position for POLB 001 and demonstrates the momentum we have built in expanding this patent family globally.

“With interim data from the TOPICAL trial expected this summer, we believe this patent grant further enhances the attractiveness of POLB 001 to prospective partners. We will continue to pursue coverage in other jurisdictions and look forward to updating shareholders on our progress.”

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The Canadian patent grant adds further protection around POLB 001 at an important stage in its development. With clinical data from the TOPICAL trial due later this year, Poolbeg continues to build the commercial and partnering potential of the asset alongside expanding its international IP coverage.