Lantern Pharma Inc. has secured a significant regulatory milestone with the European Patent Office's notice of allowance for a composition of matter patent covering its AI-developed cancer therapy LP-284. The patent, expected to be granted in the coming months with exclusivity through early 2039, strengthens the company's global intellectual property portfolio for this novel treatment targeting relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
AI-Driven Drug Development Success
LP-284, a next-generation acylfulvene, was optimized using Lantern's proprietary RADR® artificial intelligence platform, which identified its synthetically lethal mechanism targeting cancer cells with DNA damage repair deficiencies. The AI-driven approach enabled rapid advancement of LP-284's unique mechanism, achieving clinical trial readiness in under three years at a cost of approximately $1.5 to $2.0 million.
"Our RADR® platform enabled us to rapidly advance LP-284's unique mechanism, achieving clinical trial readiness in under three years at a cost of approximately $1.5 to $2.0 million," said Panna Sharma, President and CEO of Lantern Pharma. "This patent reinforces our commitment to precision oncology and creates opportunities for strategic collaborations with biotech partners."
Clinical Development and Regulatory Recognition
Currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06132503), LP-284 has demonstrated preclinical potential in addressing aggressive NHL subtypes, including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and double-hit lymphoma (DHL). The compound is being evaluated to determine its safety profile, optimal dosing, and preliminary efficacy in patients with aggressive NHL subtypes who have failed standard therapies.
The drug candidate has earned multiple Orphan Drug Designations from the U.S. FDA, including designations for both MCL and high-grade B-cell lymphomas (HGBL), recognizing its potential to address significant unmet medical needs in rare cancer populations.
Expanding Global Patent Protection
The European patent complements an existing composition of matter patent granted in Japan in June 2024 and the U.S. in April 2023, with additional patent allowances in India and Mexico. Applications remain pending in China, Australia, Canada, and Korea, positioning LP-284 for global commercialization and strategic partnerships.
Addressing Significant Market Need
LP-284 targets a global market estimated at $4 billion annually for blood cancers, driven by the rising incidence of NHL globally. Nearly all patients diagnosed with aggressive NHL subtypes like MCL will relapse after treatment, creating an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Lantern's RADR® platform, powered by over 200 billion oncology-focused data points and 200+ machine learning algorithms, has streamlined LP-284's development, reducing timelines and costs compared to traditional drug discovery. This efficiency positions Lantern to attract investment and partnerships with biotech and pharma companies seeking innovative oncology solutions.
The Phase 1 trial has potential completion in late 2025, representing a critical milestone in bringing this AI-advanced therapy to patients with limited treatment options in the aggressive lymphoma space.
