Patent attorneys of WTS have ensured a patent protection for a technology that is unique on a global scale: it involves a production of artificial (not existing in nature) concatemeric proteins, the functions of which are genetically programmed. It may be used to create a vaccine against a strain of coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 that is responsible for causing COVID-19 as well as inhibitors serving to stop development of the virus in the host’s organism. 

Patent attorneys of WTS have provided counsel to a research team led by professor Piotr Skowron that endeavored to obtain international patent protection for an invention concerning the production of poliepitopic (concatemeric) proteins through a method of specific multimerization of a DNA coding strand as well as DNA vectors for biosynthesis of those proteins. The patented invention — the BVI technology, which has been obtained under the framework of the project of the Center of National Research and Development and further developed by a molecular biotechnology company — Bioventure Institute Sp. z o.o. [Ltd.], could be used to create more efficient vaccines of new generation, including vaccines serving to combat viral, bacterial infections, as well as cancerous cells.

Technology concerning production of concatemeric proteins is currently being further developed by a company Bioventure Institute Sp. z o.o. [Ltd.] that was established in Gdansk in 2013 with participation of a consortium of universities: University of Gdansk, Polytechnic University of Gdansk as well as Medical University of Gdansk. Its originator, prof. Piotr Skowron along will his team, was invited to join the European Union’s consortium tackling the coronavirus outbreak. The consortium plans to use BVI technology to produce a vaccine and a recombinant medicine against the strain of virus SARS-Cov-2 that is responsible for causing COVID-19.

The scope of WTS counseling services in that case encompasses providing support to obtain international patent protection for the BVI technology, including preparing and representing an applicant in proceedings with regard to Polish patent application, international patent application, European patent application, as well as coordinating proceedings initiated by patent applications filed in the USA, India, Japan, Hong Kong and China.

The members of WTS team working on this case are: Rafał Witek, Justyna Juszkiewicz, as well as Andrzej Witek.